Do You Like Weathered Locomotives?

I already have the Lionel PRR Century Club Sharks.  I'd buy the new weathered Legacy Sharks if the sound sets were also changed to represent a tired, worn engine.  Lionel already did this with the Warhorse series.

To answer your question.  Weathering really doesn't appeal to me, I'm more into the toy train look as opposed to a super detailed model.  I would not buy an owner weathered train on the secondary market.

Weathering is one of those subjective arts that is done with a fine line between really nice and downright awful. And there are several examples out there of each of these.

Excellent weathering makes the engine look so real, but poor weathering makes it look like a disaster. Take a look at Rich Battista's weathering examples for some really good looking locos.

I love'em.  I think scale engines on a hi-rail layout fit into the surroundings and look the best.  A great example is Norm's old layout.  The trains look like they have been used for thier intended purpose. 

On a 'toy train' layout, I prefer stock appearance.

I just haven't been able to put paint on some of my $1700 steamers though.  That may  change when I start on my layout.  When you weather everything, the trains stick out if nothing is done to them.  Besides, nothing says you have to weather every engine!

I do like the 'pre-weathered' engines from Lionel.  Great for people who don't want to do it themselves. 

For those who desire to achieve as close to 100% realism as possible, I can understand weathering of engines.

But for me, I like the shiny new look and would not do it.

I like weathered loco's that look used, but not derelict.  Freight cars I like to see a mix of both as that is what you see on the real RR's.

I see weathering as an all-or-nothing proposition. Either you are going for maximum realism, with all or most of your equipment weathered, as well as your buildings, scenery, etc. - or you're not. A few weathered items on a layout full of new-looking buildings and equipment just look out of place. On the other hand, a passenger train that looks like it just came out of the washer does look right on a layout full of grungy freight trains.

I have a lot of respect for those hobbyists who choose to weather everything and create a totally realistic environment. However, it's not for me - I'll stick with shiny and new looking, especially since I run both tinplate and hi-rail equipment on my layout. 

I love weathered cars, engines, and scenery.  Once you start weathering though you almost have to continue.  The new, shiny, toy train look really stands out next to anything that is weathered.

It's great that the manufacturers are starting to weather as it will increase the value where personal weathering probably won't.

Art

im with you..just got a 3rd rail PRR Q2 and the paint color was off..so i'd completely repainted it...now she looks like she rolled out of altoona steam shop..PS I use automotive paints on my train stuff,since I paint cars for a living..Q2 was number 6184 and I'd converted her back to proto type 6131...all brass and lead fill on the custom work. .

Buy weathered loco......most likely no....but do them myself?? YES....

Like stated....once started.....hard not to do them all.......but some are more cared for than others....

Clean here......

I like the look of weathered Engine's.  I dont have the talent to do them myself.  SIRT has weathered a few engine's, Box Cars, and Subway Cars for me.   As we all know he does an OUTSTANDING job!

(Photo by SIRT )

I think we are outnumbered here, but I'm with you, I like the shiny new look too.

I think that if it is done right, a weathered locomotive looks very good.   Some people do a really good job but go over the top, making it look like it is rusting on some siding for years.

In reality the locomotives are maintained but not washed often.  They were just dirty, not rusting.    

My 1st attempt at weathering a steamer came out very poor.  I have now applied very little weathering and it looks much better.  Darken the side rods.  A little soot here and there, and drips and stuff where it would be on a real locomotive.  I run a small short line on my layout and the locomotives are maintained very well and the shop crew takes a lot of pride in their machines so they don't let them get really dirty.  

I'm on the fence. While I currently don't have any cars or engines that are weathered, I have been contemplating having some done.

Unless your layout reflects a weathered or older theme - weathering does not look good on engines and especially cars.

rtr12:

I wouldn't worry about being outnumbered. The thread starter asked a question and most people who respond to this based upon the thread starter's comments would probably be in favor of weathering.

It comes down to different strokes for different folks and I do not look at this as a popularity contest.

I have noticed some very good work from members on this site on the subject of weathering trains. Personally being more to the toy side prefer the left alone trains. But, I still like looking at them.

While I can appreciate the detailing of a weathered layout with weathered Trains, I just can't bring myself to do it on my stuff.

While I do not expect to sell much of it, I can't see taking the loss in value that would cause.

Darkening the side rods on my Steam engines may happen eventually as I never see pictures of shiny ones.

I own one set of weathered locomotives....my recently acquired Weaver passenger sharks that were available weathered from Weaver.  If it were not for the near impossibility of finding these beautiful units, I would not have purchased them.  The weathering (dirt and grime) that was applied to them simply was not done well in my opinion.  If one is running passenger trains, especially if a particular train is being modeled in its hey day, then I can understand weathering being kept to a minimum.  Freight is a different story.... I like the looks but I tend more toward a minimalist view..

Alan

YES!!!!

Everything I own has been weathered; locomotives, cars, track, buildings, and scenery.

With a little grimy black you can hide some evils of a custom paint job.

I think they look nice however it is not for me. Mainly I am not looking for that type of look in my layout.

Sorry, didn't mean it that way, as a contest, just meant there were only 2 of us in the new & shiny dept. at that time and all the others like weathered.  Wasn't surprising to me, as I know a lot of others try to make things as realistic as possible. And I agree about the different strokes for different folks (I only have modern diesels).

I have a rule, the only locos that should be weathered are large articulated steamers. When my Vision Big Boy arrives it will be weathered. Everything else, particularly passenger locos should be well maintained in appearance.

Yes, I like them and would buy them, but only if I want the model to begin with.

     I like locos that look like they just came from the paint shop. I would never buy a weathered loco or rolling stock.

John Knapp

Erie, not Eerie

Even "well maintained" passenger steam locomotives, have oil & grease slung all over their running gear.

I could stand for light weathering on the running gear. I do not, however care for the "derelict look".

Gilly

YES, I prefer weathered. There are various stages of weathering, and if done properly, will command a higher selling price, so value is not an issue. Not everyone likes weathered equipment, but many do, and there are those that won't/can't do it themselves.

I love the weathered look as long as not overdone - which I tend to do just a bit when I do it myself.   I think AMCDave's decapod is maybe the best weathering I have seen.  Very subtle but clearly there: this is a locomotive that is in service and working but it well-cared for and in good condition, just not showroom clean.  I think most locos were like that.

I need to get a good airbrush and learn to apply the dustlike dulling that Dave did that that, etc.  

The Legacy Berkshire below is what I regard as my best weathering attempt.  I had put a more prototypical cab and a few other tiny changes on it and had to repaint it after so I decided to weather it too.  I began with Neolube on the drivers and valve/running gear - "blackening" it without making it too black.  That helps a lot -- note AMCDave's decapod also got this treatment. Not obvious (that is the point of weathering, I think) but I used Neolube a bit on the cylinders, firebox (just a trace, and elsewhere.  Then I used brush powders (not nearly as good as an airbrush I think) to dull and lightly weather up front , along the tender bottom sides and trucks, etc.  I understand the realism of the "white deposit tendrils" down the boiler sides that come about when locos with hard water, particularly in the western US, but I don't like the look.  I did just a trace here: I've  stringy trails of the stuff looking thick and white as bat guano in some old photos - Ugh.  That is too real for me  

Don't like the shiny silver rods on steamers. Do prefer them blackened.

Generally, I don't prefer weathered engines as then I feel I must weather EVERY car in my fleet.

Outnumbered on this forum, probably.  But not alone.  I want my rolling stock to look new.

My view of weathering on locomotives and passenger equipment is it depicts a railroad with poor maintenance because of financial issues. I avoid buying trains that have weathering. To the contrary, I enjoy tastefully done weathering on structures.

In the case of railroads owned by the people like AMTRAK and the MTAs, it annoys me when I see dirty equipment because it portends disrespect for the tax payers, the lack of managerial accountability, and another crappy job by a government agency!.

Laidoffsick, now that's some beautiful weathering right there!! Nicely done.

I like the real world weathered look on everything from structures to engines and rolling stock.  To me it brings out a lot of character and detail in any model.

Good comments.

Bob C.

I would not buy a weather locomotive or any weathered piece.

I like my equipment to look brand new out of the box and to stay that way, but that's just my preference.

When I was working at the coal piers in Baltimore we were all so excited to see freshly painted hoppers and to see a new or freshly painted locomotive was just the best! For me it was sad to them dirty and with graffiti all over them.

I have had about 50 MTH Premier steamers weathered and about 20 diesels and all have turned out great and don't regret doing them at all.  The real trains were dirty and I am going for realism not a toy looking layout but to each his own.