Over time, I have accumulated several hundred box cars and rolling stock. Usually at train shows and at a buy price of $20 or less. I've always made those purchases with an eye towards weathering a string of inexpensive, but high quality, cars for a more "prototypical" look. I finally made the plunge and lightly weathered one of my Western Pacific cars (photographed independently and next to a "clean" car). I used weathering chalks without any up front preparation or post weathering sealcoat. I didn't have the heart to start scraping lettering or graphics, but I'm sure that day will come. For now, I like the "dirty" look and, based on these photographs, feel that I should make the car even more distressed with more applications - what a difference it makes!
