weathering NS locomotives

[Anonymous]

i have three NS locomotives, a C40-9W, C30-7, and a GP59. they're nice looking being all black and clean... but unrealistic. i've noticed on the real thing that the trucks especially get dirty, kind of a muddy color. also the body just above the trucks gets the same treatments. does anyone have any observations of NS units? or how to apply that kind of weathering? color, brand, etc.?

[JeremyB]

Hi There
I Live where the NS comes through,and from the units I see all there is are some dirt and grime on the trucks.You might want to get some more info though Im just letting you know from the observations Ive seen.hope that helps.you can always imagine that there well cleaned and maintained locomotives and not weather them at all I like the look of a nice and clenaed Norfolk and Southern engine.bye
Jeremy.

[Anonymous]

I just finished a model of a NS B30-7 that I had kitbashed. Before I weathered it I looked at a picture of one that I had taken and noticed the same mud/rust color on the lower body/frame and trucks. But I also noticed that the black paint fades after time too. To simulate this I sprayed the entire model with dullcote. Then brushed gray chalk powder over the entire model. I realized that I had gone a bit far so I used a few cotton swabs to remove the excess chalk (going in a vertical pattern). After that I then added various colors of brown and red/rust chalk to the underbody until I got a similar look. After sealing it again with dullcote, I was very happy with the end result.
I hope this will be of help to you.

Paul

[Anonymous]

Black locos aren't too easy to effectivley "weather" But I have noticed what I call "wheel spray" on NS units. This is the vertical pattern of rust that will accumulate on any loco or car from travelling through rain. These markings are aligned with the rails, and are the result of minute steel particles being thrown up on the equipment during wet weather. Very noticable on black.