DO YOU WEATHER AND DETAIL YOUR CARS

I think it looks awesome, and I appreciate the look. I don't think I have the artistic skill to make it happen on my layout. I may try in the future, but for now I'll run my set all plastic-y and shiny and not remotely close to life-like.

NO !   Only my "G" scale stuff gets weathered.  My "O" gauge stuff does not.  I am in the planning stages of a post-war layout.  I like nice and clean rolling stock.  

Yes! EVERYTHING, i.e. all the cars, all the locomotives, the track, and everything else on the layout is weathered. I model the early thru mid 1950s (big steam) era, with a very few early diesels.

But the first thing I do, is up-grade to Kadee couplers and trash-can the claws.

Depends. I like when I see work such as S.I.R.T's weathering. And I have some weathered things.

The Doodlebug was lightly weathered

However, for locomotives and passenger consists such as the Dreyfus Hudson and the Norfolk Western, never, because from what I can recall from my childhood in the Pittsburgh area, passenger trains were kept immaculate, back in the 40's and 50's.

FrankM

I definitely like to weather at least some cars!

I bought an air brush but, so far, have not developed the skills to use it effectively. 

I tried chalks, but I can't "fix them" and they just rub off. I have found one technique that is both easy and, IMO at least, pleasingly effective. Simply apply a black acrylic wash LIBERALLY to the top of the cars and allow it to run down the sides. Truly, ANYONE can do this! I keep doing it, applying layers of thin, watery wash until I get the car as weathered as I like. Some cars get just a single wash. Others four or even more.

Here are pictures of a new car, unweathered, and ones with coats of wash.

Moonson,  (Frank)

Same here in that my passenger cars are kept clean. my weathering is focused on my Steam Era Freight

Steve

Weaver covered hopper

Weaver boxcar with interior

MTH cars weathered by Bill Trza.

John in Lansing, ILL

In HO and On30 I weathered and in On30 I also detailed. But in O-27 tinplate, I can buy most of my cars "pre-weathered."

It seems that those who like weathering are also into realistic, rather than toy-like, model railroading. They also take photos of their trains using mostly close-ups and with the trains at eye level for more realistic photos. My un-weathered layout has always been a huge compromise between realism and toy-like operation, probably because of my lack of skill and patience with scenery and weathering. I do my best but I do compromise. Just a couple of photos to show what I've been doing.

GJP posted:

It seems that those who like weathering are also into realistic, rather than toy-like, model railroading. They also take photos of their trains using mostly close-ups and with the trains at eye level for more realistic photos. My un-weathered layout has always been a huge compromise between realism and toy-like operation, probably because of my lack of skill and patience with scenery and weathering. I do my best but I do compromise. Just a couple of photos to show what I've been doing.

Not sure if that's exactly what you meant, but I strongly disagree that those who weather their trains are more into realism or more seriously into model trains and those who do not are just "playing with toys". IMHO weathering is a matter of personal preference and not a line of demarcation separating those who are more serious about model railroading versus those who are merely playing with their toy trains.

Personally, I'm as passionate about model railroading as anybody else and I weather my buildings, track and structures but keep my trains un-weathered as a matter of personal preference - not because I can't, but because those trains were new and pristine once when they came out of the factory and that's the way I prefer to keep them - and that's just as realistic as weathering.

Fair points. I certainly did not mean to imply anything about how passionate or serious any group is about model railroading, since I personally am both. I was just admitting my own limitations. But perhaps I did not express that well.

Richie C. posted:

Personally, I'm as passionate about model railroading as anybody else and I weather my buildings, track and structures but keep my trains un-weathered as a matter of personal preference - not because I can't, but because those trains were new and pristine once when they came out of the factory and that's the way I prefer to keep them - and that's just as realistic as weathering.

OK, that's your preference, however in my opinion "modeling" EVERY piece of motive power and rolling stock as "pristine once when they came out of the factory" , works only for that first few days of their service. Again in my opinion, EVERYTHING on the layout can't be "as built new", unless every piece of equipment has the exact same "build date", and you are then modeling that specific week in time.

No offense taken - that's why I prefaced my remarks with "not sure if that's what you meant".

Hot Water posted:

Richie C. posted:

Personally, I'm as passionate about model railroading as anybody else and I weather my buildings, track and structures but keep my trains un-weathered as a matter of personal preference - not because I can't, but because those trains were new and pristine once when they came out of the factory and that's the way I prefer to keep them - and that's just as realistic as weathering.

OK, that's your preference, however in my opinion "modeling" EVERY piece of motive power and rolling stock as "pristine once when they came out of the factory" , works only for that first few days of their service. Again in my opinion, EVERYTHING on the layout can't be "as built new", unless every piece of equipment has the exact same "build date", and you are then modeling that specific week in time.

 

My layout models over several decades and each engine reflects its condition when it first came out, obviously not all the same week. I see nothing wrong with that preference.

By your logic, you would also then have to agree that weathering EVERYTHING on the layout can't be realistic, because that doesn't take into account when the engine or rolling stock was new. 

My only issue was rejecting any concept that those who weather are somehow more into realism or take the hobby more seriously and those who don't are just playing with toys. Do you disagree with that ?

Richie C. posted:

Hot Water posted:

Richie C. posted:

Personally, I'm as passionate about model railroading as anybody else and I weather my buildings, track and structures but keep my trains un-weathered as a matter of personal preference - not because I can't, but because those trains were new and pristine once when they came out of the factory and that's the way I prefer to keep them - and that's just as realistic as weathering.

OK, that's your preference, however in my opinion "modeling" EVERY piece of motive power and rolling stock as "pristine once when they came out of the factory" , works only for that first few days of their service. Again in my opinion, EVERYTHING on the layout can't be "as built new", unless every piece of equipment has the exact same "build date", and you are then modeling that specific week in time.

 

My layout models over several decades and each engine reflects its condition when it first came out, obviously not all the same week. I see nothing wrong with that preference.

By your logic, you would also then have to agree that weathering EVERYTHING on the layout can't be realistic, because that doesn't take into account when the engine or rolling stock was new. 

My modeling era, for our layout, is early thru mid 1950s (big steam with only a very few early diesel units), therefor each locomotive and piece of rolling stock is weathered based on its age (build date), and the type of service it is assigned to (main line freight, switching, or local pick-up and and set-out). Thus, virtually NOTHING on our layout is "new", i.e. built the day before!

My only issue was rejecting any concept that those who weather are somehow more into realism or take the hobby more seriously and those who don't are just playing with toys. Do you disagree with that ?

Yes.

Hot Water posted:

Richie C. posted:

Hot Water posted:

Richie C. posted:

Personally, I'm as passionate about model railroading as anybody else and I weather my buildings, track and structures but keep my trains un-weathered as a matter of personal preference - not because I can't, but because those trains were new and pristine once when they came out of the factory and that's the way I prefer to keep them - and that's just as realistic as weathering.

OK, that's your preference, however in my opinion "modeling" EVERY piece of motive power and rolling stock as "pristine once when they came out of the factory" , works only for that first few days of their service. Again in my opinion, EVERYTHING on the layout can't be "as built new", unless every piece of equipment has the exact same "build date", and you are then modeling that specific week in time.

 

My layout models over several decades and each engine reflects its condition when it first came out, obviously not all the same week. I see nothing wrong with that preference.

By your logic, you would also then have to agree that weathering EVERYTHING on the layout can't be realistic, because that doesn't take into account when the engine or rolling stock was new. 

My modeling era, for our layout, is early thru mid 1950s (big steam with only a very few early diesel units), therefor each locomotive and piece of rolling stock is weathered based on its age (build date), and the type of service it is assigned to (main line freight, switching, or local pick-up and and set-out). Thus, virtually NOTHING on our layout is "new", i.e. built the day before!

My only issue was rejecting any concept that those who weather are somehow more into realism or take the hobby more seriously and those who don't are just playing with toys. Do you disagree with that ?

Yes.

 

Then I guess you just made my point. 

Well, gents, if  we are going to bring weathered scenery  into the conversation....

 which is something I grew to like a whole lot....

.....once I caught on to how to effect such a look.

OK to show some of this stuff, too?

FrankM

Frank,

You can show off your work any time you want.  I consider it "Eye Candy".

Tom

Weathering ones rolling stock, buildings, signs, roads, for scenic Effect is an individual preference. Actually, in the 3 rail scale atmosphere which is a growing trend in our Hobby today, it does go hand in hand with our scale looking Locomotives, rolling stock, of those yester years 1940’s onward.  In looking at Moonson’s pictures above, it’s so realistic....Also, when viewing SIRT’s weathered rolling stock and layout technic’s, weathering really makes a bold statement. There is No Way to please everyone, no right answer and no wrong answer. Everyone in this hobby has there individual preferences and that’s why it’s the Best Hobby in the World. Enjoy the hobby your own way. Happy Railroading. 

Great comments so far. The weathering trend is a growing segment in O-Gauge and there is PLENTY of room here for both. Appreciate the photos posted as it continues to expand our horizon and shares best practices.

I am a collector who likes to operate his collection...to 'play railroad' as it were. I appreciate my trains for what they are - toys, mechanical objects meant to capture the imagination. I enjoy it when I see a convergence between the toy train and the real train, but since I like the toy as a toy, I don't try to change it to make it more realistic. Therefore, I keep my collection looking as new as I can. I don't weather any of it.

Regarding weathering, of both trains and scenery, Let me offer a further viewpoint (albeit long-winded )

Everything in life is not new and shiny. Everything is not worn and weathered.

Sometimes, whole communities get a worn-down, weathered, with a forlorn look to them. Take for example, the layout photos provided, from time to time, by the master craftsman Norm Charbonneau. He presents an entire community that is what I would call antique in appearance, every building, and every train. That is what pleases him. It is certainly pleasing and a real joy for many of us to see. His entire presentation is like a concert, unified in its message and statement. IMHO.

There are individual edifices in parts of my real-life community that are well-worn and getting dilapidated, and some of them are right next to or near newer and well-groomed buildings, with some structures in the process of being built, certainly new and un-weathered.

Some of our fellow hobbyists are strict sticklers for attention to detail and fidelity to time period. That interests me somewhat, when I am crafting a neighborhood altogether, and I surely respect it when I see such modeling accomplished by others. It's fun to see. I enjoy such modeling by others thoroughly and applaud heartily. However, for me, much as I like including some weathered buildings in particular neighborhoods, for example....

 ...as well as some vehicles, I only pay a mild interest to the circa of vehicles within the community of the layout called, "Moon Township, USA" which is my layout. Why?

1. I consider my time spent on and with my layout to be my playtime. I have consistently amused myself by buying whichever vehicles pleased me, or wished I had actually owned in real-life in the  past.

2. When children visit our (my wife's and my) layout, we let well-behaved children select a vehicle right off the layout to take home with them as a toy and as reward for their self-control.

This neighborhood...

 ....I have made largely un-weathered because that is the kind of neighborhood in which I grew up in the Pittsburgh area. Everybody took good care of their homesteads.

However, there were neighborhoods along the entrance roads close to the steel mills and railroads, within a bicycle ride from my well-groomed neighborhood, which were well-weathered and worn...

...and somewhat forlorn looking, so I enjoyed including them in a particular section of my layout because they were something I knew of personally.

FrankM (talk about long-winded!! Sheeesh!!

What's the need to compare? Some like this, some like that. It's all good.

jackiejr posted:

What's the need to compare?Some like this, some like that. It's all good.

Agreed. Fully.

FrankM

The only weathered item around my layout is the operator.  I keep the trains, buildings a other things looking new, like I once was.  

Freight cars YES... Passenger cars NO.

I mostly run toy like; I'm a looper. But I prefer some realism in my toys too.

   I like my passenger cars shiny. Railroads took better care of outside of them anyhow.

  I will weather things that look too shiny plastic-y, or too toy-like, or are just so old and worn. The weathering helps hide the neglect. I.e. I'd likely weather about anything before doing a full repaint and restoration. 

  While shiny is prototypical too, what's the ratio of clean to filthy? 1:100 ? 1:200?

 I like the worn look best... evidence "life" took place.

Some things make no sense if not weathered.

Moonson posted:

Regarding weathering, of both trains and scenery, Let me offer a further viewpoint (albeit long-winded )

Everything in life is not new and shiny. Everything is not worn and weathered.

Sometimes, whole communities get a worn-down, weathered, with a forlorn look to them. Take for example, the layout photos provided, from time to time, by the master craftsman Norm Charbonneau. He presents an entire community that is what I would call antique in appearance, every building, and every train. That is what pleases him. It is certainly pleasing and a real joy for many of us to see. His entire presentation is like a concert, unified in its message and statement. IMHO.

There are individual edifices in parts of my real-life community that are well-worn and getting dilapidated, and some of them are right next to or near newer and well-groomed buildings, with some structures in the process of being built, certainly new and un-weathered.

Some of our fellow hobbyists are strict sticklers for attention to detail and fidelity to time period. That interests me somewhat, when I am crafting a neighborhood altogether, and I surely respect it when I see such modeling accomplished by others. It's fun to see. I enjoy such modeling by others thoroughly and applaud heartily. However, for me, much as I like including some weathered buildings in particular neighborhoods, for example....

 ...as well as some vehicles, I only pay a mild interest to the circa of vehicles within the community of the layout called, "Moon Township, USA" which is my layout. Why?

1. I consider my time spent on and with my layout to be my playtime. I have consistently amused myself by buying whichever vehicles pleased me, or wished I had actually owned in real-life in the  past.

2. When children visit our (my wife's and my) layout, we let well-behaved children select a vehicle right off the layout to take home with them as a toy and as reward for their self-control.

This neighborhood...

 ....I have made largely un-weathered because that is the kind of neighborhood in which I grew up in the Pittsburgh area. Everybody took good care of their homesteads.

However, there were neighborhoods along the entrance roads close to the steel mills and railroads, within a bicycle ride from my well-groomed neighborhood, which were well-weathered and worn...

...and somewhat forlorn looking, so I enjoyed including them in a particular section of my layout because they were something I knew of personally.

FrankM (talk about long-winded!! Sheeesh!!

 

 

Trying to get a hold of you:  Please see attached:  Thank You'.

Sorry, that photo is not of my layout. It belongs to member Moonson.

On Wed, Dec 6, 2017 at 8:06 PM, 

Hello, Gandydancer1950’

The town grill in this shot in the background, is this a kit or did you scratch build it’

I’ve been looking for something along this look.  I do scratch build, but would look into a kit as well’...Thanks very much’  BTW, beautiful layout’

I am Quartergauger48 on the forum’..

Menards buildings are meant to be new and pristine.  That being said, it would be difficult to make a Downtown Deco building fit into a new neighborhood.  DTD kit buildings fit into older neighborhoods and look terrific when the easy instructions are followed and a nicely weathered building is one of many on a layout.  John in Lansing, ILL

I really like weathering structures and scenery but I like my locos and rolling stock clean with just a hint of dull coat to knock the shine off.  Now my passenger cars have to shine as do my GG1s.

Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

Moonson posted:

Regarding weathering, of both trains and scenery, Let me offer a further viewpoint (albeit long-winded )

Everything in life is not new and shiny. Everything is not worn and weathered.

Sometimes, whole communities get a worn-down, weathered, with a forlorn look to them. Take for example, the layout photos provided, from time to time, by the master craftsman Norm Charbonneau. He presents an entire community that is what I would call antique in appearance, every building, and every train. That is what pleases him. It is certainly pleasing and a real joy for many of us to see. His entire presentation is like a concert, unified in its message and statement. IMHO.

There are individual edifices in parts of my real-life community that are well-worn and getting dilapidated, and some of them are right next to or near newer and well-groomed buildings, with some structures in the process of being built, certainly new and un-weathered.

Some of our fellow hobbyists are strict sticklers for attention to detail and fidelity to time period. That interests me somewhat, when I am crafting a neighborhood altogether, and I surely respect it when I see such modeling accomplished by others. It's fun to see. I enjoy such modeling by others thoroughly and applaud heartily. However, for me, much as I like including some weathered buildings in particular neighborhoods, for example....

 ...as well as some vehicles, I only pay a mild interest to the circa of vehicles within the community of the layout called, "Moon Township, USA" which is my layout. Why?

1. I consider my time spent on and with my layout to be my playtime. I have consistently amused myself by buying whichever vehicles pleased me, or wished I had actually owned in real-life in the  past.

2. When children visit our (my wife's and my) layout, we let well-behaved children select a vehicle right off the layout to take home with them as a toy and as reward for their self-control.

This neighborhood...

 ....I have made largely un-weathered because that is the kind of neighborhood in which I grew up in the Pittsburgh area. Everybody took good care of their homesteads.

However, there were neighborhoods along the entrance roads close to the steel mills and railroads, within a bicycle ride from my well-groomed neighborhood, which were well-weathered and worn...

...and somewhat forlorn looking, so I enjoyed including them in a particular section of my layout because they were something I knew of personally.

FrankM (talk about long-winded!! Sheeesh!!

 

 

Trying to get a hold of you:  Please see attached:  Thank You'.

Sorry, that photo is not of my layout. It belongs to member Moonson.

On Wed, Dec 6, 2017 at 8:06 PM, 

Hello, Gandydancer1950’

The town grill in this shot in the background, is this a kit or did you scratch build it’

I’ve been looking for something along this look.  I do scratch build, but would look into a kit as well’...Thanks very much’  BTW, beautiful layout’

I am Quartergauger48 on the forum’..

 Again, I ask is "Ray's Grill" a kit, or is it a scratch build?... Thank You very much'.

It was a kit, from several years ago, back in the late 90's, when I first started the layout. I do not recall the manufacturer, but maybe it was a Downtown Deco . Not sure at all.

The roof-top sign, "Town Grill," was not part of the kit. It was hand-assembled from the letters one can buy for real-life

changeable-message signs.

FrankM

Upon purchasing a new freight car, I first spray it with Dullcote.   I do have a few freight cars that have not received this treatment.  

I'm in the process of weathering most of my freight fleet.   I use various colors of chalks, which I purchased at an art supply store, and Floquil Grimey Black spray paint and sometimes some brown or gray spray paint.  I made sure I bought extra cans of Grimmey black when I heard Floquil was being discontinued.  

I've only weathered a couple of my engines so far and a few cabooses.  The thinking of the execs on my railroad is that locomotives need to be spotless. Cabooses too!  Passenger cars are considered "varnish" and are kept spotless as well.  Maybe one day the execs will change their mind

I find the weathering process to be somewhat meditative.  I do enjoy this process.  It's a form of creating visual art to me.  I will probably end up weathering about 90 percent of my freight car fleet.  

As for weathering/not weathering ... its totally up to the individual.  There is no right or wrong or better than here.  This is a hobby and the person practicing their hobby needs to be the one who is happy.   If a person does not wish to weather their locos and cars so be it.  If another person chooses to weather ... then so be it.  Rather we weather or not we all still have a passion for out trains and our hobby ... and that's what it is all about.  At least that's the way I see it. 

Here is some of my work.

Moonson posted:

Regarding weathering, of both trains and scenery, Let me offer a further viewpoint (albeit long-winded )

Everything in life is not new and shiny. Everything is not worn and weathered.

Sometimes, whole communities get a worn-down, weathered, with a forlorn look to them. Take for example, the layout photos provided, from time to time, by the master craftsman Norm Charbonneau. He presents an entire community that is what I would call antique in appearance, every building, and every train. That is what pleases him. It is certainly pleasing and a real joy for many of us to see. His entire presentation is like a concert, unified in its message and statement. IMHO.

There are individual edifices in parts of my real-life community that are well-worn and getting dilapidated, and some of them are right next to or near newer and well-groomed buildings, with some structures in the process of being built, certainly new and un-weathered.

Some of our fellow hobbyists are strict sticklers for attention to detail and fidelity to time period. That interests me somewhat, when I am crafting a neighborhood altogether, and I surely respect it when I see such modeling accomplished by others. It's fun to see. I enjoy such modeling by others thoroughly and applaud heartily. However, for me, much as I like including some weathered buildings in particular neighborhoods, for example....

 ...as well as some vehicles, I only pay a mild interest to the circa of vehicles within the community of the layout called, "Moon Township, USA" which is my layout. Why?

1. I consider my time spent on and with my layout to be my playtime. I have consistently amused myself by buying whichever vehicles pleased me, or wished I had actually owned in real-life in the  past.

2. When children visit our (my wife's and my) layout, we let well-behaved children select a vehicle right off the layout to take home with them as a toy and as reward for their self-control.

This neighborhood...

 ....I have made largely un-weathered because that is the kind of neighborhood in which I grew up in the Pittsburgh area. Everybody took good care of their homesteads.

However, there were neighborhoods along the entrance roads close to the steel mills and railroads, within a bicycle ride from my well-groomed neighborhood, which were well-weathered and worn...

...and somewhat forlorn looking, so I enjoyed including them in a particular section of my layout because they were something I knew of personally.

FrankM (talk about long-winded!! Sheeesh!!

 

 

All of your structures look great, Frank, and it's a great idea to reward a well-behaved child with a vehicle from your layout.

Do some soft weathering only using only powdered chalks. This way any mistakes can be wiped away and the piece stays unaltered.

I will probably start weathering after I get all rolling stock lowered and Kadee's installed. thats more important to me than weathering.  

Moonson posted:

It was a kit, from several years ago, back in the late 90's, when I first started the layout. I do not recall the manufacturer, but maybe it was a Downtown Deco . Not sure at all.

The roof-top sign, "Town Grill," was not part of the kit. It was hand-assembled from the letters one can buy for real-life

changeable-message signs.

FrankM

Thank you very much Frank! I appreciate the information'...  Also, nice to make your acquaintance'.  I love your excellent layout.  You have weathered the seedy part of town perfectly.  I agree with your assessment of weathering completely'.  I have done he exact same approach on my layout as well.  Diecast cars for good kids'..Nice touch'..

trumptrain posted:

Upon purchasing a new freight car, I first spray it with Dullcote.   I do have a few freight cars that have not received this treatment.  

I'm in the process of weathering most of my freight fleet.   I use various colors of chalks, which I purchased at an art supply store, and Floquil Grimey Black spray paint and sometimes some brown or gray spray paint.  I made sure I bought extra cans of Grimmey black when I heard Floquil was being discontinued.  

I've only weathered a couple of my engines so far and a few cabooses.  The thinking of the execs on my railroad is that locomotives need to be spotless. Cabooses too!  Passenger cars are considered "varnish" and are kept spotless as well.  Maybe one day the execs will change their mind

I find the weathering process to be somewhat meditative.  I do enjoy this process.  It's a form of creating visual art to me.  I will probably end up weathering about 90 percent of my freight car fleet.  

As for weathering/not weathering ... its totally up to the individual.  There is no right or wrong or better than here.  This is a hobby and the person practicing their hobby needs to be the one who is happy.   If a person does not wish to weather their locos and cars so be it.  If another person chooses to weather ... then so be it.  Rather we weather or not we all still have a passion for out trains and our hobby ... and that's what it is all about.  At least that's the way I see it. 

Here is some of my work.

 Nice approach to weathering'.  I agree completely with take on the subject'..