Matt, its a bit tedious, but its doable.
Matt Doti said:
Thanks for the ideas. The real fun part will be when I hand paint the stake bed “wood” parts to look like unpainted wood (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)
Welcome! For me, the hand painting to look like wood has evolved in to a simple method - though we’re talking stuff used on indoor railroads.
I use wet blended on the model Testors classic enamels 1163 grey and 1166 flat brown; then when those cure, some craft acrylics in several lightnesses of warm grey and tan over them in a similar process. then a dark wash, then some drybrushing.
Here, start here and look through the next 8 pictures, these will illustrate the method - I’m doing 25 HO scale flats for an 80 year old fellow in our model RR club.
IMG_0062 by Forrest Wood, on Flickr
Matt,
New truck underframes are gloss black. It obviously does not take long for them to be ‘not shiney’. A matte or flat over coat over some light mud and gunk would do nicely!
Bob C.
Ready for decals:
Cool.
Still have to letter the trucks (waiting on some decal solution), but thought I’d post a pic of this:
Found this at an antique store in Durango. Too cool not to get. I think it came off a trailer. My best guess is late 1960s to 70s.
Usually those numbers are listed on a the cab. A trailer doesn’t need all those numbers since it could be attached to any tractor. But being from back then, who knows. But it could be attached anywhere to a 4 axle vehicle.
That’s a great find, Matt… I copied it to your folder… (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
Ken Brunt said:
Usually those numbers are listed on a the cab. A trailer doesn’t need all those numbers since it could be attached to any tractor. But being from back then, who knows. But it could be attached anywhere to a 4 axle vehicle.
You’re right Ken. Looked into my books and online and it’s definitely from a cab. Usually mounted on the door.
Now just the top part with Rio Grande Motor Way, inc would look good on the side of the trailer. Either on a metal placard or directly painted on the side…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Finished (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
Stan Cedarleaf did a great job taking my proofs and printing the decals for me. I didn’t spoil a single decal which is amazing given the length of some of these.
All the lettering including the back warning stripes/chevrons are decals. The semi trailer red stripe is an automotive pinstripe by 3M.
Terrific! (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
Beautiful models, Matt… (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Yea, beautiful. I always liked them kind of trailers.
A great addition to your layout. Now weather them up!
Nice job, Matt!
Looks a lot better out on the layout:
That looks great, and right at home on your layout Matt. Great job!!
Awesome, Matt… It looks very, very good on the layout… 
They do look ready to get out and earn their living. The decal gods must have had special mercy on you.