maxi stacks

[tom mann]

I've been working on this for months, off and on.  I have a bunch of nice photos that I took from Cresson, PA, when two container trains stopped for a three way meet.  I noticed that for the most part, they are pretty clean, save for a even coat of red, dusty, rust.





I'm not a fan of container trains, but I am a fan of the models.  Kato did a nice job with these.  The metal/plastic compound is great, and the magnetic containers are even better.

Hope you like them.

[amato1969]

Nice job, Tom.  I like the way your "dust" blends the yellow and black together.  Did you airbrush it or use chalk?

  Frank

[tom mann]

I first airbrushed a coat of white/earth mixture to tone the black lettering down.  I followed this up with some Oxide Red/Roof brown.  No chalk.

[Sokramiketes]

Have a photo of the prototype?  Most of the stack trains I see are headed North on the CN out of Chicago, and all that TTX equipment gets filthy with grimy black.  Haven't noticed the red ones in this part of the country.

[tom mann]

Have a photo of the prototype?  Most of the stack trains I see are headed North on the CN out of Chicago, and all that TTX equipment gets filthy with grimy black.  Haven't noticed the red ones in this part of the country.

Not exactly the same proto, but the same color I was going for.  I should have mixed in a little dirt or something, I don't know.  It's a hard color to mix.

[James Costello]

Tom,

Like Mike, most of the filthy double stacks I've seen are more of a grimy black colour.
Maybe it was a 'local' effect that resulted in the reddish rusty dust you saw.... if so, you've nailed it.
Overall though, I think they're a bit too red/rusty for your typical TTX Maxi-IV.  :-\

Here's some links anyway....
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=133450
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=452227
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=177978
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=578295
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=569909
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=522440

And a roof shot for those X-Post containers:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=62306
It's a 48'er, but the weathering pattern is the same. Oil leaks from the overhead cranes, dirt and rust around the IBC's and an even coat of grime.

It's nice to see more intermodal models on the forum too 

[Sokramiketes]

Have a photo of the prototype?  Most of the stack trains I see are headed North on the CN out of Chicago, and all that TTX equipment gets filthy with grimy black.  Haven't noticed the red ones in this part of the country.

Not exactly the same proto, but the same color I was going for.  I should have mixed in a little dirt or something, I don't know.  It's a hard color to mix.

Yeah, there's no red at all in that proto pic.  Grimy Black in Dust, and a few drops of Earth would get you there.  But stay away from the rouge.

Maybe you can pass this set off as the red dirt in Georgia?

[Denver Road Doug]

First off, great job...I don't think you're as off base as you think.

I think it depends on where the cars run most of the time.  If you go out on the BNSF Transcon, you'll see more of the reddish weathering because of all the red soil in Oklahahoma. (and TX, NM, AZ, and CA as well to some extent...but more sand that doesn't stick to the cars as much)  Obviously intermodal cars aren't in captive service--but it's not total chaos either.  I've noticed at least some cars that seem to show up fairly often on the same route/train so I think they do develop "local weathering" to some extent.

Also, the base color of the Kato cars may be unforgiving with the red.  A slightly lighter (faded) yellow might have been a better starting point.  Finally, I think you have some lighting issues at work there as well...it would be interesting to see the stock Kato cars in that same light.

[ryourstone]

Tom that's not a hard color to mix, compare this to your proto photo:



The mix is black, white, raw umber, raw sienna, and some raw umber pastel added to thicken the wash. As for the rooftop rust, remember coule de source... You're getting too confident 

-Rich

[ednadolski]

Very nice work Rich,  is that all done with acrylic washes as per your artice?

Thanks,
Ed

[ryourstone]

Ed,

Yes, it's the same materials and techniques as the article - except the addition of the chalk to the wash to make it heavier and more opaque. This is the only big change I've made in the past several years, and was mainly due to seeing the results Tom was getting using this same technique.

Here's a shot showing the deck where the wash is really heavy, and a black wash+chalk used to recreate the soot-covered look of a steam era boxcar:





-Rich

[ednadolski]

Great stuff Rich!   You guys are awesome!

I was just thinking:  would you & Tom consider making a DVD on weathering rolling stock, perhaps something that would cover theory, materials, techniques, and a few step-by-step demo "case study" examples?  The print articles you guys have done are great, but there is nothing like watching an in-progress demo, and video equipment/software are better than ever nowadays.  I imagine it could sell for $25 to $30 a pop.  I know I'd be lining up for it.

I'm no video producer, but I'd be willing to lend a hand if it would help.

Thanks,
Ed

[tom mann]

Ed,

I was going to post a bunch of movies on Google Video.  But if you think there is a market out there....

[ednadolski]

Yes I think there definitely is a market.   Have you seen the Darryl Huffman DVDS?  He has some on weathering structures, painting backdrops, and scratchbuilding. See below link;  these DVDs are nicely done without being a major studio type production (I have the ones on the backdrops). They are available on line and I have also seen them for sale at Caboose Hobbies in Denver (there are probably other outlets too).

I think that something specifically aimed at N-scale rolling stock would be pretty popular -- as you know a lot of modelers can be reluctant to "take the plunge",  but seeing a couple of step-by-step visual demonstrations is very encouraging.   It would also be good to include a piece or two on detailing freight cars, adding body-mount couplers, and lowering the MT "high-rider" type cars.  (And you & Rich should plug this DVD in any upcoming article(s) for NSR or other mags.) 

Here is the link to Darryl's site:  http://www.darrylhuffman.50megs.com/custom3.html

[tom mann]

Well, I would like to do it, but only have capabilities to record a few minutes of video on my camera.  If it's done and sold for money, I think it should be professional.  Professional camera, professional model (not ugly tom mann), professional titles and video post processing.

Yeah, I'll be interested in this.  Who can help me get started?