3RS Freight Car Projects

Norm,

Have you noticed any problems between coupling the various combinations of couplers?  Kadee-Atlas, Atlas-Claw, etc.

Jan

 The 805s are the best so far as far as being able to grab the most stuff. They will grab almost all the 3 rail couplers I have except for GGD, but those are long gone.

The Atlas scale couplers work with the 805s ok, but don't grab 3 rail couplers as well. I bought a bunch of the Atlas couplers to do my fleet of H21s. Not sure if I will buy more. They make the Atlas upgrades easier though.

Here's a Trainman boxcar with Atlas scale couplers. I had to keep the 3 rail coupler bolster because the truck to body mount needed it for stability. Not a big deal, I just Dremeled the coupler mount off it for clearance.

Easy peasy...

Atlas 8000 gallon tanker with Atlas couplers..

After some grimy black and brown dusting:

After killing my second Aztek, I am actually impressed with this $20 harbor freight airbrush:

Hi Norm

Nice weathering on the Koppers tank car!!  I just purchased an air brush with compressor from Harbor Freight which I have not yet had the time to use. Glad you like the product. I would like to commence with the airbrushing sometime after New Year and my question to you is what kind of paint do you use?  Oil based, acrylics, or acetone based paints?

I have a box full of cheapo Lionel scout cars I intend to practice on

Appreciate your response

Steve

Looking good Norm. I may try a couple of the Atlas couplers after seeing these. The coupler boxes are a much better look than the Kadee and the fit snug up against the car. They look great on the tank car.

 Are you painting the couplers ?  I usually start with a coat of Grimy Black. Then follow with a light coat of some Flouquil Rail Brown. Almost out of it. Trying to match the color as everyone has a different take on Rail Brown. Didn't care for True Colors version. The best I've seen is Micromarks as far as a match to the Floquil. I prefer a light coating as I want them to function with the Kadee track magnets. The main goal is to hide the shiny brass spring. Often wondered if I could just chemically blacken the spring. I've tried the newer Kadee's with the concealed spring and more prototypical knuckle. On my layout the 805's just seem to work better with how I placed my uncoupling magnets. I've got a couple of Atlas cars to do. Think I'll give the Atlas version them a try after seeing yours.

Steve, I shoot mostly acrylic. I am burning through my collection of Polly Scale and I'm starting to shoot their equivalents in Model Masters.  For weathering I use Grimy Black, RR Tie Brown, or Roof Brown most of the time. I also use Rust sparingly. I'm not sure that one made it over to MM.

Dave, like you, I always start with Grimy Black on the couplers, then I give them a pass of brown or rust. Sometimes I just leave them Grimy Black. The last step I do with weathering is dry brush everything. I sometimes use a little rust dry brushed on the trucks and couplers. I've never put enough paint on the Kadees to gum them up though.

Here's a couple comparison shots of Kadees vs. Atlas couplers on the X29s and 8000 gallon tankers:

Heres the Atlas p/n I am using: