Model Railroading > More recent weathering projects...

Had a little time off in the past couple weeks to weather up a few more freight cars. This time, a couple Atlas 25.5K AGP tank cars, and an Exactrail NS waffle-box. As with my other weathering projects, I just stick with a couple basic acrylic earth toned washes, and a few additional colors for specific highlights. Some models then receive FRA-224 stripes, then a final spray of Dullcote.

On one AGP car I kept the center section masked during weathering to represent a repainted section, while the other one I weathered the entire tank then added some gloss black streaks around the central cage.

*Got a pack of Kadee #119s to replace those hideous Atlas 2-piece couplers...

Mr. MRL



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/20/10 21:40 by MrMRL.

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Nice work Robby

Red_over_Yellow Wrote:
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> Nice work Robby
I'll second that, I need all the tutorials I can get now that I have time, Ed

What kind of "Refined Oil" is in the AGP Tk?

From AGP's website, it looks like various soybean oils:

http://www.agp.com/food/

Doug Stark


1stcajon Wrote:
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> What kind of "Refined Oil" is in the AGP Tk?

I like the "white (silver?) wall tires" on the NS boxcar. Looks like it just made a trip through a set of hump retarders.

wlankenau Wrote:
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> I like the "white (silver?) wall tires" on the NS
> boxcar. Looks like it just made a trip through a
> set of hump retarders.


I've seen that on various random freight cars over the years. I used a silver Sharpie marker to accomplish the effect. Doesn't hang around long though, rust sets back in quickly.

Mr. MRL

MrMRL Wrote:
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> *Got a pack of Kadee #119s to replace those
> hideous Atlas 2-piece couplers...

GASP! I thought you were using Sergent couplers!

Nice work.

- Arved

Arved Wrote:
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> MrMRL Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > *Got a pack of Kadee #119s to replace those
> > hideous Atlas 2-piece couplers...
>
> GASP! I thought you were using Sergent couplers!
>
> Nice work.
>
> - Arved

I do own a number of Sergents, but a while back I decided against a total conversion because I already have way too many Kadees in my collection. To my eyes, the semi-scale Kadees are sufficient.

Mr. MRL

MrMRL Wrote:
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> Arved Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > MrMRL Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > *Got a pack of Kadee #119s to replace those
> > > hideous Atlas 2-piece couplers...
> >
> > GASP! I thought you were using Sergent
> couplers!
> >
> > Nice work.
> >
> > - Arved
>
> I do own a number of Sergents, but a while back I
> decided against a total conversion because I
> already have way too many Kadees in my collection.
> To my eyes, the semi-scale Kadees are sufficient.
>
> Mr. MRL


Well, not to be too coupler-centric, but shouldn't those tank cars have shelf couplers?

- Arved

Arved Wrote:>

> Well, not to be too coupler-centric, but shouldn't
> those tank cars have shelf couplers?
>
> - Arved

The problem with scale shelf couplers is exactly what they were designed for - they don't come apart easily. During operating sessions, uncoupling those are a pain. We prefer homemade picks that we insert into the gap between the knuckles of both cars and twist slightly. The couplers will separate. With shelf type couplers, there is no way to insert the pick. And if the car is on a yard track with cars on the adjacent tracks on both sides, you can't grab the metal gladhand either.

Unfortunately, no shelf couplers for us, even though they are the correct type.

swsf Wrote:
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> The problem with scale shelf couplers is exactly
> what they were designed for - they don't come
> apart easily. During operating sessions,
> uncoupling those are a pain.

I know that you're not going to convert over, but that's one of the things that's so great about Sergents. All you do is hold the magnetic stick over the couplers, and they open effortlessly as you pull the cars away from the one(s) you're spotting on a siding or in a yard. No fiddling with sticks and trying to pop spring-loaded knuckles apart that keep closing again. Plus you get to have the correct style of coupler to match the prototype after going to all the trouble of getting the other details right.

Dave

drolsen Wrote:>

> I know that you're not going to convert over, but
> that's one of the things that's so great about
> Sergents.

You are right about not switching over. I have almost 1000 cars on my layout. At 75 a piece, or $1.50 per car, that's $1,500 just for couplers!!!! Ain't going to happen.

Arved Wrote:
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>
>
> Well, not to be too coupler-centric, but shouldn't
> those tank cars have shelf couplers?
>
> - Arved


Not to worry Arved, the two tank cars are now equipped with Kadee shelf couplers as referenced in the first post.

... And to some of the others, please refrain from turning this thread into a Kadee vs Sergent flame war. They are both wonderful alternatives for those that prefer them. : )

Mr. MRL

Fantastic work on all three models! I especially like the work you did on the first tank car. The blue bearing caps are a real nice touch. I immediately noticed the wheels on the NS car and thought it was a really cool touch. A sure sign the car has rolled through some retarders recently... I've never seen that modeled before.

Andy

Love the streaks of spilled recycled oil in picture #2 on the center of the car. Fabulous work.