So, I’ve not weathered a car in g scale…ever. I did a horrible job weathering ho scale, back in the 80’s. Really, really bad.
So, today after a couple tumbler’s of whiskey, I figured what the heck. I decided I would give it a try. I found some pics online that I liked and thought I would try and model them.
I did a heavy side and a light side to an AML CSX Bethgon coal porter. I did it on the same car, just in case I hate one side and have to run it the same direction all the time. Which, I think I will. Whiskey played no part…lack of knowing what I was doing did.

Soooooo. Here’s the pics.

This is the light side.

AND, here is the heavy side. I like the tub on this one, I just wish I would have done the panels and ribs like the other side. Oh well.

I still have to do the coal load, the trucks, the wheels, and the couplers. I know the lighting sucks for these pictures, but it’s 20 degrees outside and the wind is howling…so no outside pics. lol.

Looks great Matt, Great job.

Thanks Ron.

I’ll try and get some pictures with some natural light tomorrow…and not taken with my phone. I don’t think that will help the darker weathered side though. lol. I just don’t like that side.

I’ve looked at a ton of pictures, and I think I’ll keep the next coal porters not as dark. I have a better idea of what I’m doing now.

Less is better, some times.

Looks good Matt!

I shot plenty of coal unit trains, they are grungy; including the engines. But the grunge is more evenly distributed.

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/78023575[/vimeo]

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/82475861[/vimeo]

Thanks hans! I do enjoy your videos.

I’ve been watching vids on youtbue for a while trying to see what they look like in the real work… From what I had seen, the CSX bethgons were either almost white/dirty, or just dirty from use.
I went over board on the dirty side of my car. It, was, my first attempt.

some cars do have streaks like this:

This one is what I was trying to model the bottom of…and I still went to dark.

(http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=0CAUQjBw4Fw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jeffstrainsite.com%2Frailfan_pics%2FClass_One%2FCSX%2Fcoalporter%2Fcsx_coalporter_392691.jpg&ei=_PipVJLMNImzyQTJ6YKgAw&psig=AFQjCNFZt9rJx25cSg-naMmQaNrtPg49Ng&ust=1420511868972824)

I knew the first car I weathered wouldn’t be what I wanted, but I just hope it looks ok outside on the rails.

I do agree I over did it. I’ll try and do better on the next car.

Thanks!

I’m with HJ. I think what you did could have been in a light rust color. The rust is where you have layered the black. I think a light coat of rust in place of your black would be a good start. The next step that I would do is give everything a light coat of black (the color you used I think is about right). Coal cars are dirty, dirty, dirty. Layers of coal dust cover everything.

What is you medium? Chalk? Paint?

Good for the first attempt. Better to be light than too heavy for the first time! You can always add more weathering but it’s harder to take away! I like using chalk as you can build it up slowly. Airbrushing is the next step, but a little harder to control.

I think your weathering looks just fine. There are no hard and fast rules that say what mother nature does has to look the same all of the time.

I see this thread may be getting hijacked, but the videos that hans posted are interesting. I’ve not seen the watering of the coal before. Maybe they are hoping it will grow, LOL.

Dan Padova said:

…

I see this thread may be getting hijacked, but the videos that hans posted are interesting. I’ve not seen the watering of the coal before. Maybe they are hoping it will grow, LOL.

CP uses Latex to keep the coal dust from flying.

But back to the weathering, other than the type of coal, the climate/weather will produce considerable variations.
A nice even finish — looking like dust — is easier to do with an airbrush.

I’ve always taken the safe road and used chalk, but then again I have seen others work magic with paints.

Heard in a clinic on weathering “Practice, Practice, Practice” .

I doubt there is any wrong way to weather something.

Matt, there is no “right or wrong” way to weather. I think you did fine. The coal dust is not predictable.

The only experience I can pass on is to be patient. A lot of times you will do multiple colors and want to see what it looks like. But take your time. And think about what might be just below the final color you want. In other words, think backwards!

This particular one is just coal dust, one color, and it looks good. Keep up the good work.

I like it Matt. Sometimes less is more and other times things are beat to heck in the real world.

Did you spray the inside of the car too? I have a string of bachamnn coal hopper cars and I sprayed the insides black the outsides received some black and a bit of grey. Some of the cars are clean and some are heavily weathered just like the prototypes.

Will you be rusting up the wheels and trucks?

Matt,
Looks great, and remember it is your railroad, do what you think looks right and works for you.

Do what gives you the most enjoyment.

Thanks guys! I do appreciate the comments.

I used charcoal and krylon flat. Since the body of the cars is aluminum I didn’t do any rust. I will get to the trucks and wheels soon. Those will be rusty.

Todd, I didn’t spray the inside. I plan on running coal loads in them. Which, I need to tone down the plastic look of those next.

The next car will just have the ribs “scuffed” and the panels will look more like aluminum. I hope.

The sun is out today, even though is in the 20’s. I’ll get a decent picture of it after I get home from work.

Matt

I think it looks good myself!

Perhaps HJ and Craig could show us some their weathering work since they seem to be opinionated on how it’s done? Me personally I don’t seal what I weather(with chalk)and if I do I seal it I use hairspray that way you can always wash it off if you don’t like it or chose to change it later. Another weathering trick is to take 600 to 1000 grit sand paper and just lightly drag it down the side of the car(top to bottom) this really has some neat effects on the logo and lettering.

Keep up the good work!

Thanks David!

I do appreciate all feedback. It will help me in the long run.

So, I ran home for lunch today. It was still sunny, so I shot a couple pics.

Here’s the lighter side:

(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p169/Alwaysbroke2006/G%20Scale%20Layout/weathered%20bethgon%20II/outdoor%20pics/light2.jpg)

(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p169/Alwaysbroke2006/G%20Scale%20Layout/weathered%20bethgon%20II/outdoor%20pics/light4.jpg)

And here’s a close up of the lighter side:

And the darker side:

(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p169/Alwaysbroke2006/G%20Scale%20Layout/weathered%20bethgon%20II/outdoor%20pics/heavy2.jpg)

It looks better outside. I still like the lighter weathered side over the darker.

Well dang it. If you want to see the full photo go to here:

http://s128.photobucket.com/user/Alwaysbroke2006/library/G%20Scale%20Layout/weathered%20bethgon%20II/outdoor%20pics?sort=3&page=1
Then click on the picture. For some reason the whole picture isn’t showing up in this thread.

Yup, Lighter side looks great to me. It all depends on your preference.