Rustbucket weathering - 2
I
f you are the type of model enthusiast who likes to
weather freight cars and locomotives, yet don’t own an air-
brush, a plethora of expensive equipment, or artist media
to get the job done – then we certainly have something in com-
mon. I will show how I go about weathering models without
using an airbrush or spending a lot of hard-earned cash on
paints, decals, parts, etc.
I have always gravitated toward the challenge of the “extreme”
when weathering. As I begin a weathering project, I find pro-
totype reference examples of the more heavily rusted and
decrepit freight cars. So, in testimony to my preference for
severely weathered freight cars to replicate, I chose a Soo Line
prototype photo and purchased the newer release of the Fox
Valley 7 post-Fond du Lac shops 50’ boxcar in the white paint
with red door color scheme.
The Fox Valley model in comparison to its prototype is a VERY
accurate version. The tooling and detail are precise and true to
prototype drawings. Having the Fox Valley car in hand, I saved
time by not needing to add any details outside of air hoses, pin
lifters (uncoupling levers), and Sergent scale couplers. I could cut
to the chase and begin the extreme weathering of the model.
Before I start weathering any model, I search the Internet for
various rail car equipment photo sites in hopes of finding a rea-
sonable prototype example of the car I wish to replicate. In the
Extreme weathering without
an airbush ...
case of this particular Soo Line boxcar, I came across a photo of
SOO 16916 taken by railfan photographer Steve Brooks
. I
was instantly attracted to the 16916 because of the very obvi-
ous rust damage and the vibrant graffiti adorning its side. Once
I secured the photo of 16916, it was off to the workbench. I put
some of my favorite music on the stereo in my studio, brought
out the model, and commenced on the weathering.
I work on my models in fragmented sections. This means I do
one side completely, one end completely, the undercarriage
completely, and so on. This is the method that works best for
2
2. Soo 16916 is seen on another day headed back to
the midwest as it wanders the rails of North America.
MRH-Aug 2014
