mike_brubaker I'm new to the hobby and I see all these books and articles about weathering your locomotives to make them look more realistic. Am I wrong that I have a hard time "mucking" up a $250+ model? I really don't want to have to weather my locomotives, but many people, especially Tony Koester's books, make it sound like that's a criminal offense. Are there any of you that have not weathered your locos? Thanks, Mike Brubaker
I'm new to the hobby and I see all these books and articles about weathering your locomotives to make them look more realistic. Am I wrong that I have a hard time "mucking" up a $250+ model? I really don't want to have to weather my locomotives, but many people, especially Tony Koester's books, make it sound like that's a criminal offense. Are there any of you that have not weathered your locos?
Thanks,
Mike Brubaker
Mike,No its not necessary to weather your locomotives or cars and with today's limited production I highly advise against it.
Whys that?
Glad you ask..Being a horse trader I have found unweather locomotives brings a better cash return.
You see the majority of the modelers that do weather prefers a unweathered locomotive over one that was weathered by the previous owner since weathering is a personal touch.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Short answer is that you don't have to weather your RR equipment.
I am funny about weathering.
I will weather buildings to make them look more realistic.
But I do NOT weather my locos or RRcars. I prefer to think my RR keeps 'em clean and shiney.
I, too, have a hard time even weathering a $50 loco or a $4.99 RR car, let alone a $250.00 loco.I am affraid I will "muck it up" and if I do on a building I can always strip it and start over, but loco,,,it's hard to get that factory-like new look back again.
Now maybe if I could do a great weather job like Robby P. ,,,,
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
I myself do not weather any of my models, and never intend to.
A friend of mine who was a custom painter refused to weather any engine he painted. A customer especially wanted an engine weathered and he refused. The engine was painted in gloss and eventually it was sent to Mr. Weather for weathering.
Rick
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
With the prices of locos as they are here in Germany, I am very reluctant to give my loco a weathering job. Imagine mucking up a $ 600 loco! I´d rather spend an additional, say $ 50 - 80 to get a professional weathering job done by an expert.
I have only weathered one of mine as an experiement.
But other than that, the only "weathering" is dust.
Mike,
First of all, it's your railroad, do what you want to do. If you don't want to weather your locos, then don't. Simple.
I hear what you're saying. I have some beautiful MTH SD70Aces that I can't bring myself to weather. At least not now, maybe down the road (rails?) some time.
I might just do some light weathering, like trucks/wheels get dusty. There are many levels of weathering. From rust bucket to a light dusting.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
I would be interested in other oopinions. I myself can go both ways, but i like the way alot of them come from the manufacturer.
love any kind of train