Weathered Coaches

No, I really like the new look for all of the passenger train equipment. As an example, I would never consider "dulling down" the sleek look of the CZ or the Super Chief. Would be totally against my grain.

I agree Brian.

The staff on my railway keep all of their rolling stock in pristine condition. After all, the coaches are the public face of the company, and clean coaches inspire confidence.  

I should rephrase my statement as "light" weathering.

I think that passenger cars are the perfect thing to look like new.  I'm imagining that my passenger trains go through the wash rack everyday and the railroad is very proud of them.  They are all striving for business like in the glory days of passenger trains before Amtrak.

 

Art

Nope - and the folks in the coach yard know there will be h--l to pay if any part of the passenger consist shows up looking the least bit scruffy.  Everyone on my road remembers what happened to our competiton the Daid & Gowan RR when they let their image slip and started treating passengers like shipped freight - not a pretty sight

In my fantasy Railroad world freight cars are used and dirty.....Passenger cars clean and fast......I like the difference the two provide.....makes it look like a hard working but profitable RR......

I agree with most of the sentiments above.  I don't do weathering, but if I did, I certainly wouldn't sully the passenger cars.

Depends on the era you're modeling; that is, if you model a specific era. If you haul your cars by steam, the roofs are weathered even of the sides are clean. Once you haul by diesel, the roofs should be more lightly weathered. The mechanical car washers didn't do the roofs, at least from the examples I've seen, nor did the human car washers in the all-steam era.

Opinion....

Same here. I like pristine passenger cars. Same with freight for that matter.  I admire the artistry of a nicely weathered car but I like shiny and bright.

Guys,

 

If ever I thought I needed new glasses, it is now! For a brief moment, I thought I read Withered Coaches! But then I took a double take and read it again! Phew!

Now you CAN laugh!

 

My first senior moment!

 

Mike Maurice

Question is too vague to give a specific answer.

 

Coach vs. passenger would be decorated totally different.

Using the word weathered in regard to these cars would probably not be the word of choice.

 

Specifics would include:

Road names

Ballast color of area modeled

Location of modeled scenes - N.S.E. or W.?

Passenger (long distance) or commuter short runs.

Tunnels in route?

Steam, diesel or electric power?

 

Can’t answer the question or provide the proper photos without knowing the facts.

 

 

I like a little "age" on my general duty rolling stock, but my Isaly's consist are polished! Who wants a Ice Cream cone out of a crummy looking dairy car anyhow? The passenger side of things are very clean. I spent some serious time this year painting & detailing the inside of the cars after someone, (I don't remember the post), posted their PRR interiors painted, with carpet and wall hangings. I was really inspired & did the same, then used the GRJ method of LED conversion for interior lights. Even with the "specifics" SIRT is asking, I bet it doesn't change the majority of answers, freight weathered - passenger cars not...

Yes

 

In general -

Most stainless passenger cars, cabooses and diesels were generally cared for and even run through the wash.

Commuter cars and older subways were often dirty or dusty.

 

My streamline passenger cars look shiny while some subways, REA reefers and LIRR commuter cars contain tunnel soot. Some also contain red brake dust and ROW ballast soot.

There are many factors as to why I decorate every item accordingly.

 

Usually, at the end of the line, the cars were sent off to the coach yard where they were cleaned inside and out. About the only area on a passenger car that would get dirty is [maybe] the center of the undercarriage, but anything on the sides and ends would definitely get washed down. At LAUPT (LA Union Station) I'd routinely see strings of Superliners going through the wash rack in the coach yard (ex ATSF) just southeast of the terminal near the I-10 Freeway.

 

One thing you would get is oxidation of the paint or stainless steel. Oxidation of the paint can be simulated with a light spraying of thinned light "dust" paint. Oxidation of stainless steel is tricky as you don't get a lot of rust except over a long period. By then, it might get hit with aluminum silver paint.

Since I model in the early to mid 1950s, i.e. primarily the "steam era", my 12 car CB&Q Golden Gate Depot heavyweight passenger consist is weathered. I do however, keep my GGD Southern Pacific Daylight passenger consist clean, just like the prototype.

I have run my Super Chief for 14 years and it was always pristine.  I promise that my El Capitan will be spotless as well.  The Santa Fe took great pride in their passenger service and I vow to pay my respect by doing the same.