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I'm going to start weathering the lower parts and chassis of the super detailed Williams cab forward before the piping and more intricate detail goes on. I want it to look like it would a few months after being shopped. The color pictures and video I've reviewed seem to indicate the unclad firebox portion, shields and under firebox box take on a muddy brown and rust appearance. The running gear begins to fade from dirt blasting and takes on the color of the local dust, as well as, grease and oil mixing with the dirt and oil smoke in appropriate spots, but overall still remains black as opposed to gray and dirt colored. The siderods remain pretty clean, but have oil and dirt collecting in the ribs The smoke box remains darkly stained with just an undertone of rust coming through. Calcium deposits are beginning to form where steam or water escapes. the engine still has some shine, but overall is moving towards inevitable external element degradation. This is what I'm seeing, but also color film of the era doesn't always represent the subtle colors well.

 

I would really appreciate any help.

 

Thanks,

Ron H

Last edited by Ron H
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Originally Posted by Hot Water:

First, I suggest that you get a copy of Robert J. Church's Cab Forwards book, as there are lots of action photos in that book.

 

Also remember, that the vast majority of cab forwards operated in territories with lots of tunnels/snow sheds. Thus, the real ones got pretty dirty from smoke/soot while working at slow speeds inside those tunnels/snow sheds.

I have the book and it's primarily black & white. I'm copying this loco pulling frt in the valley. I'll just have to do my best with the few color shots and videos.

 

Ron

I'm in the same boat Ron. I've been looking for good color photos on and off for a couple months to weather my Legacy AC12. So far the best color photos I have come across are of HO Cab Forwards. The weathering was done very well, but I'm not sure how accurate it is based on the videos I have. The videos are just too blurry and grainy to get a good perception of color. The HO photos look muddy/dirty as you described vs grimy/soot stained that I was guessing.

Doug, I'm just going to go with the color shots I can find. I've looked at a lot of the SP videos on the tube and they are muddy looking. Probably still look black or silver from a distance. I'll have to channel Lee Turner's work. Gonna be tough as he is so good. I don't think the steamers here on the forum were old enough back then to focus on such  fine detail as a kid. And there is probably nothing comparable being run today.

 

Ron

I think those old Video Rails tapes are just what you want.  There is also a calendar from some years back showing a cab forward in glorious color.  And the Four Ways West and Morning Sun books have very good color shots.

 

My opinion?  You should just go for it with oranges, earth tones, gray, streaks of white, and simply have a good time.  Heavily weathered models will win contests way before vastly superior bare brass or black models.  My very first scratchbuilt lost its contest to a factory built weathered model.

 

I use color chalks in abundance - I think I already posted my weathered AC-8.

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