"To weather or not to weather, that is the question"

Just depends on personal taste and what kind of modeling do you do. Do you like this?



OR THIS:



This:



OR THIS:

Weathering is like art. Everyone has their own tastes and preferences for weathering styles, techniques, and degree of "dirtiness".

Weathered trains are almost always more difficult to sell and will have lost value - UNLESS they are done as beautifully and realistically as laidoffsick just showed you. Then they command a premium price, but only to a select group of buyers. More often weathering is poorly done as is seen on the forum very frequently. But, again, what looks good to one person looks terrible to another.

Personally, I think weathering only looks good on full-scale models. Weathered semi-scale/postwar/tinplate etc. would just look like dirty toys IMO.

Jim

Weathering a collectable would almost remove it from the market place. If you plan to keep the item, then go for it.

I like my trains to look like they just came off the show room floor just like the car and boat I drive.

Weathered cars look good until you notice the wide gauge, wide wheels, molded on details and 3rd rail.    To me that's like super detailing a Lionel boxcar with a Giraffe's head sticking out the roof.  Weathering should be part of a scene as SIRT mentioned.    I love what Don Smith does, but unless you're going to buy a train full of his weathered cars ($$$$$) and run them on a very nicely done layout, whats the point?

But, to each there own. Of course.

I'm running a layout so mixed up its a nightmare.... steam on the rails with diesels..... probably about 30 different road names....... and who knows what else!  But the fact is, I have weathered a few of my items because it makes them look awesome to me.  As for going "all or nothing", well sure if your a stickler for sticking to a particular road or time or look.  But if your like me and just in it for fun then GO FOR IT!  Sure it might decrease the value if not done right, but if your "investing" in model trains then you aren't too bright to begin with!  

Having said that, I took a cheap caboose and feel like I've created a masterpiece!  Its clearcoated so it won't smudge or anything.  Sure most of my engines and cars are in perfect condition, but having a few weathered ones mixed in looks awesome!  

Before..... and after.

Yeah - weather if you want.  Doesn't make any difference how many rails you have or even if there is a giraffe poking out.  It is a hobby.

That said, there are those of us who scratch our heads when a modeler goes completely realistic, creating scenes and rolling stock that could easily be mistaken for the real thing except for the track.  That is our right, but it does not make unrealistic track wrong for a hobbyist who likes it.

Opinion.

I love weathered trains but understand it's not for everyone (along the lines of adding graffiti to modern equipment).

What I find interesting is that there are layouts with stunning realism and detail that, to me anyhow, are ruined because of the minty fresh un-weathered trains. 

Maybe because that was all the physical space he had available, and COULDN'T model it 2-Rail!

I guess I just don't look at it as a WHOLE.  I say..... Oh wow thats a neat boxcar goign by...... oh wow thats a cool rusty caboose!  Neat look at that weathered steamer right beside a beautiful spotless SD70ace!   It's always neat when the entire layout and rolling stock and engines all fit the same protocol.... but I like a little of everything!  A mint boxcar running next to a rusty boxcar doesn't ruin the other.... I  just say "wow nice looking boxcars"!

I recently switched over to the "weather it" side. "The Apprentice" has been teaching me how to add light weathering which brings out the details. Eventually, all of my scale-wheeled locomotives will be weathered, except for the demo units which I'll probably leave un-weathered.