Model Railroading > SP 3332 GP9E - Walthers Proto [HO Scale]

Here is a weekend project just completed. This started out as a Standard DC model. I took on the task of replacing the factory 21-pin dummy board with a LokSound V5 decoder (58429) and installing an ESU Power Pack Mini (54671). The factory speaker was very weak with little to no bass so a Scale Sound Systems Walthers Proto Universal (WLPM-UNI1-RC1) speaker was installed in it's place. Now the unit was sounding great with a DCC decoder, I moved on to starting the weathering process...

One of my first tasks was to paint the wheelsets rusty brown by removing the trucks. Once the truck sideframes were removed, I then removed the shell of the locomotive to begin the weathering process. The locomotive was weathered per a prototype photo of the engineer's side. Some modeling license of the fireman's side was used to complete the model. 

Weathering steps taken were as follows:

• Dullcote (spray can) entire body of the locomotive and let dry.
• Flat white thinned and airbrushed used to fade carbody and SP Scarlet red.
• Rail brown and dark rust power was applied over the carbody per photos of grit and grime. 
• Flat black was air brushed over the locomotive to darken the overall appearance and produce the classic SP grime. 
• Roof was airbrushed with rail brown and exhaust stacks airbrushed with more flat black. 
• Small details and grime were hand painted and all steps and grabirons were repainted white as appropriate.
• Mud, dirt and oil splatter was applied by flicking Tamiya panel line accent color. 
• Dullcote (airbrushed) was applied to the model to wrap things up. 

Thanks for looking and feedback is always appreciated! 

Alex Wilson
Castro Valley, CA
ApproachAspect's Flickr Photos

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Looks terrific Alex. What is your ratio with thinning white for the fade?

ChrisCampi Wrote:
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> What is your ratio with thinning white for the fade?

Chris, thanks for the reply!

I've never quite calculated what my exact ratio is, however my best guess is close to 35:1 (in mL based on my mixing bottles) Tru-Color Flat White to Laquer Thinner. This is typical for all my fading. Granted my airbrush is an old Testors Aztek A220 kit with the bottle beneath the spray tip. I always pre-mix the colors then carefully pour into the airbrush bottle, allowing for some additional extra paint should I need to touch up areas after the bottle runs dry. Also, the Laquer Thinner is the big box store Klean Strip brand. I run through this stuff so fast, I just buy the cheapest I can get. 

Alex Wilson
Castro Valley, CA
ApproachAspect's Flickr Photos

Nice dirt & grime!

Looks great! 
Thanks for sharing.
Regards, Jim Evans

Excellent. Really nice.  Thanks for the details on the job.

SP are such a pleasure to weather. Veddy nice!

Dang, nice work