Construction Update #55 - Weathering Locomotives & Rolling Stock With Powdered Pigments

 

RGS K-27 #455 

My RGS "pre wreck" version of the #455 is a factory painted brass model from P-B-L.  A Tsunami2 sound decoder and TCS keep alive were installed right after I got it.  Shown below, it ran around the layout for about two years with it's unrealistic glossy factory paint; great for a display model but not very realistic for an operating model railroad.

Since I was going to use powdered pigments for the weathering, the first thing I did was flatten the glossy finish.  The, powdered pigments won't stick to a gloss finish.  The windows were masked off and the model was sprayed with Tamiya TS-80 clear flat.  I have tried most of the flat finishes and it is my opinion that the Tamyia TS-80 is the best.  The model was then set aside for about 24 hours to insure the flat finish was fully cured.  While I fully disassemble a brass locomotive for painting, I don't for weathering.  When it comes to brass locomotives, I think the less handling, disassembly and assembly, the better.  

 

While waiting for the clear flat to dry, I did a little research.  The 455 was acquired from the D&RGW in 1939 in exchange for a ditcher. It was shopped and entered service in March of 1941.  It was the first RGS locomotive to feature them new "sunrise" logo.  In 1943 is was wrecked in a run away.  Following the wreck it was rebuilt with a "oversize" standard gauge cab and was used by the RGS until the end of operations.  It was scrapped in 1953.  Color pictures of the 455 are difficult to find but there are quite a few Black & Whites. 

 

 

Here is my set up.  I use artists' dry pigments from Daniel Smith Art Supply (Seattle) and powdered pigments from Bragdon Enterprises along with a selection of  brushes.  The pigments are applied liberally since the color tends to disappear under a sealing clear coat.  Daniel Smith colors burnt umber, raw umber, burnt sienna, graphite and mars black were used along with Bragdon's rust, dark gray, light gray and light brown.

 

Initially, I make a small pile of each color on a piece of styrene.  The colors are first applied individually and and then blended for a final application.

 

Almost finished.  The stack still needs a little work, the boiler needs a few water stains and the tender could use some coal.  It has the look of a used but well maintained locomotive, a look I prefer.  If a more weathered appearance is wanted, another layer of powdered pigments followed by another layer of flat finish could be applied.

 

 

Here is the finished model ready for service with the addition of a spark arrestor and a coal load.  I think the 455 turned out pretty good for my first attempt at weathering a steam locomotive.  Next up is my #463.

 

 Caboose #404

Caboose #404 is another factory painted brass model from P-B-L.  The 404 is another model that ran around on the layout for several years in it's glossy factory paint.  The prototype was built by the RGS in 1902 and served until the end of operations in 1951.  It was the only "long" caboose on the RGS.  It is currently being restored and is expected to operate during 2026.

Unlike the 455, the caboose was disassembled to easily access the under body and trucks.

The factory painted models has the windows installed.  Rather than masking off all the windows I felt it was easier to remove the windows before weathering and reinstall them upon completion.  The windows pop right out but some glue residue is left on the model.  The residue should be scraped off before the model is weathered in order to make sure the replacement windows lay flat against the inside of the window frames.

 

The car body, frame and assembled trucks were then given a coat of Tamyia TS-80 clear flat and set aside to cure for 24 hours.

The wheel sets were painted with Poly Scale Railroad Tie Brown using a micro-brush.  Since they are almost impossible to see on one of these cabooses, I didn't paint the wheel backs or axles.  This is consistent with my general modeling philosophy of "If you can't see it, don't worry about it".

The etched individual boards on brass models can be pretty shallow.  A deep brown panel wash was used to accent this detail.  These washes from mig are primarily used by military modelers to accent panel lines on plastic models.  In the past, I have used them effectively on HO Scale diesels.  After the wash cured, the caboose was given another light coat of Tamiya TS-80 clear flat and set aside to cure overnight.

Powdered pigments were used for some additional weathering; Daniel Smith graphite, black, raw umber, burnt umber and burnt sienna sealed with Tamyia TS-80 flat clear.  Again, I prefer models that while weathered appear to be well maintained.

 

Moose Creek Trees 

Looking for trees?  I saw a reference to Moose Creek trees on a YouTube video.  They looked pretty good and since I needed some smaller trees to blend in with my backdrop, I ordered up a box of 20 3" pine trees for the hillside behind my Lizard Head section house.  At about $1.50 each, they are a bargain.  I have ordered another 20 to fill in the same area plus a few of the larger sizes to see how they look.  They are available on ebay and Etsy.

As always, your comments, suggestions & questions are welcome

sdepolo@outlook.com