Wayne, thank you for the comments on the track, building, and boxcars. Do you realize that much of my motivation comes from you and your photos of your layout? I figure if
you can build a layout that inspiring, then anyone can!:mrgreen:
Heeheehee, just kidding!
But really though, your photos and knowledge of the hobby do make me realize what is possible. I appreciate all the help you have given me. As I mentioned in another thread, you guys here at The Gauge are my railroad buddies, since I don't know anyone down here that is in the hobby. I often sit here at my workbench, logged in to The Gauge, sharing ideas and asking questions as I go.
I made another discovery today. I had bought a couple of Athearn RTR Monon 40 foot gondolas because I didn't have many 40 footers and they seem hard to come by, when I saw them at the LHS I snapped them up. Now, these things were just like fresh from the carshop, shiny black paint, perfect lettering. I decided that I didn't need the Monon road name, and every gon I have seen is generally beat to crap and rusting, so I experimented.
I took one of the gons and an exacto knife and started scraping the paint off. I didn't care whether I scratched it up or not. I just gouged right in. The plastic underneath was a grayish black, and all the scrathes really gave the car some depth. I went back with some rough sandpaper, a dark wash, then several passes of weathering powder and dullcoat, and some new decals somewhere in there. I think it turned out fairly well, and as I practice the technique, I should get better. The point is, sometimes you have to get over the freight of ruining something, and just go for it. Worse caes is, it will be a good lesson on what not to do. Best case, you discover a new trick and develop your repertoire.
Now I am considering trying this on a boxcar!:shock:
Here is a photo of one car as new from the factory. Second one is the other car with the weathering job. Still needs some improvement, but I think this is a viable technique.