Thanks to the dreaded SQL I am typing all this again, so pardon me if I am not totally detailed or spelled right!
Inspired by the Pendon mineral train In MI4 I decided to do some work on a Mathieson Models PO coal wagon. This is how I did it, using easy techniques and no airbrush. I have one but its a pain cleaning it all in the middle of the night and using the brush mean I can work in the living room.
The pristine model, better scale dimensions and brake gear than the other manufacturers and beautiful print quality.
Almost a shame to take a glass fibre pen to it to fade the lettering, particularly removing the bits on the strapping as these would wear first, plus the door areas.
Next a dry brush in grey, the brush needs to be a flat one, with reasonably fine but not too soft bristles. This highlights all the raised detail. If you get a bit heavy handed and it is too "chalky," you can wash it down in the next step. These photos show the before and after, note the more obvious planking in the second shot.
Apply a black wash over the sides, inside and ends of the model. I do a panel at a time, you can use modelling dyes, thinned black ink or what I used, GW Badab Black wash. Wipe off the excess once almost dry, with a damp swab. This should make the low parts, especially the plank joins, suitably ingrained with dirt and coal dust.
I then added some replacement planks of varying quality and colour, as my layout is a wartime one and repairs tended to be ad hoc. I also did a few black planks to show tarred replacements or a brief spell in the C&W.
I moved on to the road dirt after some drying time, this is applied with a large stippling brush. I mix the paint on a palette, old tiles are good as you can clean off the paint periodically. You want a milk like consistency, which will allow good flow. Dip in the brush then wipe it several times with kitchen towel, you want the brush nearly dry. Too wet and it will paint, not mist the area. smaller details like brake dust and rust can be applied later, either by the same technique but with a smaller brush, an old size 0 with the point chopped flat is good for small bits, or with powders. If you do rust by brush then wipe the area with a damp swab after application, as rust tends to sit in the corners of things more than the raised bits.
Finished item, I could add more but in a train of lots of wagons moving you would need binoculars to see it!
Next time the finished road goods shed and station progress, I hope!
- 10
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