DM&IR Weathered Today

Looks real good.

Dave,

  Looks real good!! I guess I am going to have to break down and start weathering some rolling stock at least. Any pics of your newest addition?

Jeff

Very Nice. I will be taking a trip to see you soon.

Great job...to me that really just makes these engines come to life.

Chris

I am always stunned with the realism you guys seem to get.  We 2- railers do not seem to get that far - at least most of us . . .

Great work on the steamers.  They are one of the harder things to weather,  Very nice job.

Looking great

Can you tell me a little bit about how you did the weathering?  Powders? 

I think I will be taking the plunge and weathering a locomotive myself soon.  I have saved your photos for a reference.  

Looking good Dave!

nice job, Dave. I stopped up last week.....you were rockin' elsewhere that night....Tom

Great work.

Nice work Dave, you should post a pic of that P&LE switcher, it looked pretty good too.

They look awesome Dave   I have to get me a Yellowstone someday

Dave  Great work looks really nice, a nice touch of realism that add's to the earthiness of steam, I must admit to having a worm place for the DM&IR       Stephen    (cTr... Choose the Right)

Really nice job Dave.

Thanks for the compliments everybody!

Ben,

I know this guy in Jersey who can 'find things' Your Yellowstone is very happy in Mercer.  

JD,

I cannot seem to get the hang of chalks.  I prefer acrylic dry brushing combined with enamels in an airbrush.  I just picked up an Iwata HP-C+ that is great for doing fine detail work.

Dave

Looking nice, Dave!

Excellent Dave!!!

I admire the work you put into it....but I never got the weathering itch like you fellows do...I mean, why dirty up a shiny new engine or stock?  I know, realism....but at one time these classics were new, and they did try to keep them clean as best as they could; the size prohibiting much effort.  Museums make sure their engines are pristine looking.  I take it you guys never wash your cars, and leave the mud caked on to give it that realistic look.......lol...just an opinion; not meant to be more than that...

I am not an expert, but those few brand new steamers I have seen lasted about fifteen minutes without blemishes due to hot oil, leaking water and steam, and cinders.  That is probably why some modelers like to weather stuff.

My steam models go through stages - brass for several years, then gloss Scalecoat and decals for a couple more, then heavy weather.  For some reason, the heavy weather does more for winning contests than does the finest workmanship.

Three rail modeling is not an area where I would expect much realism, but those DMIR locomotives do look real.

why dirty up a shiny new engine or stock?  I know, realism....but at one time these classics were new, and they did try to keep them clean as best as they could

Not all, look at this Seaboard E7:

We can only hope this was later in its life and not on some crack train such as the Silver Meteor

I think management had more to do with the condition of the engines more so than the crews.  From what I've read most crews took pride in their engines and tried to keep them clean.  Management on the other hand looked at what it cost to keep the appearance of them up.

I tend to keep mine shiny as well, at least for now.  Rolling stock will soon be getting the dirt treatment as time permits.

I prefer to use chalks and have done a couple of cars using them.  I don't seal the chalk onto the car and any fingerprints can be rubbed out.

So, your entire layout and all your locomotives/cars are perfectly clean and pristine. To each his own I guess, but that is NOT the concept of 3-Rail SCALE modeling we are all trying to accomplish here. 

Dave, outstanding images of your weathering technique(s).  The "look" you've achieved in your layout images is something we hi-railers should all strive to achieve.

David

Great job! I think the Yellowstone looks really massive weathered and it adds to its tremendous girth. 

Really?  There's a concept that weathering must be a part of 3-rail scale modeling?  I think it's interesting that diesels,especially Santa Fe's with the chrome & stainless models are very seldom if ever weathered.  I've noted quite a few members with their pristine looking diesels, and yes steamers.  I've got no problems with people taking the time and expense to "weathering" their trains or surroundings.  I just think it a little overboard IMO. Maybe it's because I collect classic model cars as well, and can't imagine making them look dirty and weathered.

See, if you want to run pristine clean models, come on over to 2- rail.  We do not care whether you weather or not.  And we have more realistic track.

Mr. Erie, you are obviously welcome to "model" any way you like. However, MOST of us here, that are modeling in 3-Rail SCALE, like our locomotives, cars, buildings, scenery, and track to look as prototypical as possible. Since I model in the mid-1950s time frame, virtually everything I have is a "bit dirty" do to the proximity to steam locomotives, and the steam locomotive servicing facility. Just like the real thing!

Concerning the Santa Fe diesels "with the chrome & stainless", the real ones got pretty dirty operating between California and Chicago. Sure the railroad washed them at each end of their respective runs, but they still got dirty in between.

I understand the santa fe diesels got dirty, so do you guys weather and dirty those up as well?  I don't think I've ever seen it done....would kinda defeat the purpose of getting them with that option...if you're TRULY into the prototypical thing, you should scrape the paint finishes, add dents, dings, etc...otherwise the "weathering" is just cosmetic coloring of sorts over pristine metal... (see Bob's Seaboard E7 picture above)....would you really scape up your engine to look realistic like that?

Dave,

Those look great! I love the weathering. Malcolm

Very definitely YES! I already have some pieces that have been "distressed". Since I don't have but one or two diesels (I prefer to model with steam, since I like the mid-1950s), they are dirty, but not banged up,,,,,,YET.

I weathered this cab to match a photo and I did not weather mine as much as the prototype. Malcolm

Sorry for the hi-jack Dave!

Malcolm,

I love seeing your work clean or dirty!  I still have not weathered my Union RR cabs yet and they were NEVER clean in real life.

Erie,

Everything was new at one time.  I still keep a few things looking new.  I guess it is all what you like.  I do wash my vehicles (more than most)

Dave

Dave,

Great work. I guess I have missed it somewhere but how did the new Steel Mill scene turnout?

Rick.

Rick,

Its on the back burner right now.  I've been jumping around working on different scenes as I get inspiration.

Dave

Dave,

I am sending telepathic messages too inspire you to finish the Blast Furnace scene. I guess I will know when you get them!

Great work Sir.

Rick.