What is it about a ratty caboose?

Ratty is good!  Especially if it's a Brother Love caboose...  Malcolm's the BEST!

Ratty is a motif choice that covers several things.  The 'Rat' bike was an old Harley that was mechanically sound and reliable, but looked, well, like rats lived in it. Ratty gives something character where everybody else wants a bright and shiny world.

Ratty = charm

Brother Love, you are the best caboose builder, I love what you do!

I think many people who aren't even railfans or modelers themselves naturally react positively to well-weathered, "ratty" looking cars, over the sheer visual realism. Older wood prototypes in particular, though I have discovered well "grimed up" modern equipment elicits a similar response too.  On that note many of the better distressed finish jobs I've seen have been done by individuals who had previous experience in military modeling, specifically 20th century armor, naval vessels and aircraft.

It's an true artistic skill in my opinion, and yeah Malcolm never disappoints either, a true master modeler in all regards.

Caboose Master Craftsman.

It is nice to see you back in the caboose building/superdetailing game.  If you should start taking commissions again, please let us know.

Yes, l caught your posting about a series of FEC side doors, after they were done.  Sure wish l had known they were being done and opted for one of those in the Great Western livery a couple were sold into.  Just my experience, but l think it is harder and more skilful to make something look realistically weathered than shiny new.

It's a lot more work to weather and distress cars and car bodies, hence a lot of us just grab NIB and run it, but it's not really modeling in any sense unless you're doing new from the factory, and even then....

Case in point, a friend scored two of these Trainman cabeese; ironically good for his target scenario road the C&O, but that's not enough as I can't think of anything he doesn't modify both in terms of weathering but also "breaking every little bone in their bodies" to get them right.  The photos speak for themselves in terms of which look better IMO.

above new out of the box

now we're talking...note lowered the truck bolsters too

I covet his weathering technique but have yet to master it to this level.