Gloss painting on new engines

Phill    I cant answer your question on the painting, but I would think most engines are painted in enamel paint these tend to oxidise fairly quickly giving you a flat finish washed or unwashed so the fresh paint (shiny)finish dosent last to long.        (cTr...Choose the Right)

Phill,

Not quite sure of the question. The real railroads received (or built) their locomotives with a gloss varnish finish (flat base color coat, glossy varnish overcoat). This was to protect the base color undercoat. Depending on the railroad and the time in history this final coat was kept clean and polished. When the locomotive was shopped, sometimes this overcoat was re-applied to freshen up the finish. Over time the finish became weather beaten and lost it's glossy appearance. So, depending what you model, the finish could be whatever you wish. Glossy if new, (or when they gave a ****) to dull and weather beaten, if old and they didn't care anymore.

Hope this helps.

Buzz  

Thanks Buzz,  I model UP and evry time I see  a new engine it has this nice semi gloss enamel sheen to it which I would like to leave in areas that would not recieve  weather related paint erosion. It sort of like cars about town thatthe hoods and roofs are fading yet the sides keep some better paint.

Phill