How many of you have the guts to take that shiny new loco that looks like it just rolled out the builders door and dirty it up? I must admit that it's hard, but for me it's the realism that counts. Ever since I got started in N-Scale back in the 70s, it was all about realism for me. I'm sure the reason many don't weather is because if they ever decide to sell the loco it would probably stand a better chance if it had that new look. I'll admit I have a few that I haven't weathered for that very same reason.
Everything is better with weathering! I weather just about everything and have had no problems selling stuff later on eBay.
Here, here. Most folks are chicken!!!!!! No stale locos or rolling stock here. They have to be weathered to go with my messed up scenery anyway. I must point out that without some weathering on every aspect of a layout it just shows up stale and cold, like a well decorated hospital. Who wants that?
Thomas the lighting does not show all your efforts, but the rust on the trucks looks good. Those grey and scarlet units are way to clean.:teeth:
In my alternate reality, everything stays show room condition. "I must point out that without some weathering on every aspect of a layout it just shows up stale and cold, like a well decorated hospital. Who wants that?" per John Just my point, I have too many locomotives and way too many pieces of rolling stock to even try to start such a monumental task. Because it couldn't just be weathering, it would also have to be additional details and possible paint corrections. So I am happy with the way they are and focus more on operations than appearance.
I'm personally impressed with the sideframes on the SP and NS units. I always figured weathering added to the realism, but also admit it's very much an individual choice.
If you have a lot to do, do them in mass. (BTW, nice job on the locos!) [video=youtube;8jxHpZ9rkvc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jxHpZ9rkvc[/video]
Well it's good to hear there are at least a few here that think the same way I do when it comes to weathering. I've seen so many pics of layouts with locos, rolling stock, and bldgs. all in pristine condition, which to me gives a toy look. But then I can't rule out the fact that everyone has their own way of enjoying this hobby and as long as the end result is fun and time away from this hectic world we live in today, so be it.
I got over the fear of weathering expensive rolling stock and power units the minute I discovered 99% isopropanol...if I "boo boo" a cloth with the iso on it cleans up the mistake and I get a second chance to make a first impression....I think weathered units are essencial to making the n scale cars and engines NOT look toy like....
Nice job on the weathering. so far I have just done the white chalk dry brush on the sheet metal and grimy black on the side frames which does not show up real good . I am just getting started again after a 30 year hiatus due to 5 kids and low paying jobs . Yes it is hard to put .75cents worth of paint on a $365 shay N scale or a DCC E6 at $195, or a $108 Pacific 4-6-2. We spend most of our lives trying to spruce up our stuff only to turn around in scale and make it look like the dog drug it thru the mud , grease and grime... funny huh?
Thomas, Nice job on the weathering! Looks you've got a good feeling for it! Here's a few shots of some things I've done over the last year! Your not alone by a long shot. Weathering is a whole hobby in and of itself! A little bit of weathering can go a long ways. Like what Daryl shows, you can always fleet weather your stuff in mass and then you can always go back and rust and grime anything up individually at a later date if you decide to really go town on something or if you've seen some prototype you really like. I plan to do something Like what Daryl is doing. I want to get a coat of stuff on the majority of my fleet and then go back and detail certain stuff at a later date. Like David said, It could become a monumental task, but how does one eat an Elephant? One bite at a time. I warn you! Once you start and get a few things done to your satisfaction, the rest of your stuff will look toylike and you may not be able to stop. it become addictive and you start looking at a boxcar in a whole new way! I'm still learning and finding new methods. Here's a link to a PDF file that posted awhile back. This is a technique that Gary Hinshaw came up and it's a good way learn to fade your stuff. Then you can go back and start with your weathering. You can se the result on the Rock Island boxcar. http://tiny.cc/lwgtjw I use to railfan a lot and take pictures. I was always looking at the locos and consists, now I'm focusing on the weather beaten cars and taking mental notes! LOL Allen...
I have to say you guys sure know how to weather. A great inspiration for me. I'm loving what I'm seeing here.
I'd encourage anyone to just "do it"......you will surprise yourself how quickly you get the hang of weathering and before you know it you'll be turning shiny and new into "ridden hard and put away wet".....
I beg to differ. I had listed a bunch of my stuff on Ebay back when I was getting rid of some stuff to buy a ring for my now wife. Well I got alot of replies along the lines of "Do you have any like this that AREN'T weatherd?" Seems to me that people would rather weather their rolling stock themselves or buy rolling stock that looks new.
Weathering is like a coin, two sides. Personally, I've never purchased a weathered car. I know MTL and others sell them, but I would rather do it myself. Some folks only want shining new trains and either can't or won't weather. To ME weathering is an example of virtually all prototypes so I do it. I weather everything. Jim
I've started on a few random items to get a better handle on what I'm loking for and how to get it right. These ConCor autoracks got weathered when the etched sides I added looked a little funny where the CA bled.
I think the reason some don't buy used equpiment that's weathered is because it's personal taste. There are some that are so dirty the paint schemes aren't visible. As someone said, a little goes a long way, especially in N scale. Just enough to remove the gloss and sheen is adequate in my opinion.
I have spent the last year researching and practicing weathering techniques using airbrush, oils, and chalks. During my research, I stumbled on the military modelers. these guys are light years ahead of us train guys. Some even laugh at us for our primitive methods. I have subscribed to Fine Scale Modeler and have joined painting and weathering forums. These military guys are really good. I have switched my paint brand to Vallejo. True, they don't have Conrail Blue, but they have enough colors that make it easy to mix. It is so much better than Floquil or Poly S. Subtle is the rule of the day with these guys. If interested check them out. PM me and I can give some forums that are really informative.
I agree that weathering in most cases does add significant value to the appearance of the scene, when layout scenery and rollingstock combine to make a realistic replica of the real thing. As for ebay, there is personal taste in weathered vs. non-weathered, however, I think the bigger factor is if the weathering is done WELL. I have seen some weathering that is far from realistic, and the model probably lost value due to the poor quality of the weathering done by the modeler. Weathering is about 95% art, 5% science, and requires practice and repetition to do it well and convincing. However, once you start, it is a lot of fun. I have all kinds of weathering examples on my blog: http://www.nscaleaddiction.blogspot.com/search/label/Rolling Stock. I found it addictive, and have stock piled dozens of cars with the intention of being future weathering projects. As far as locos go, it is intimidating to "ruin" that perfect factory finish. But it is a great way to improve weathering skills since the stakes are higher than a cheaper boxcar. Also, no one really mentioned graffiti or patch jobs on locos or rollingstock. One thing I have found to be really fun is to add graffiti using decal sets, and patch some of my locos to add yet more realism.
