It’s getting a little cooler here in the desert. So I’ve been working on weathering rolling stock.
I tried paints, acrylic and enamel but I personally prefer chalks. They allow for better control in applying layers for more or less weathering effects.
I remove trucks and couplers, then spray Dull Coat in flat finish, dust with chalks in different shades of rust, brush them in and lightly re-coat with Dull Coat.
Then I weather the wheels, trucks and couplers with thinned coats of enamel paints in flat black, rust or both depending on the effect I want.
Here in the U.S. rolling stock can be quite pricey, $25 to $40. They look so great out of the box with so much fine detailing and then to “dirty em up” to look prototypical is a bit daunting. In any event, I made a video with a new Scale Trains ET44C4 which by the way is a fantastic highly detailed model and the weathered well cars and some containers.
I know I post alot of Dave’s stuff – but I always find it so watchable:
“Hi Alistair Just loaded part 2 of the changes going on my layout, few tips in this one, white lining roads, ballasting, painting ballast, adding ready made viaduct walling, also putting underbrush to disguise building join.. and maybe a few more.
Got this N scale layout on a door which I rather liked:
“Really enjoy your daily emails.
I’m 77 and decided to build my first model layout since I was in HS.
Chose N-scale on a hollow core door using Kato track at the recommendation of my local train hobby store.
Started last year and I am nearly finished.
Wanted to model early 1950’s in a NM/SW Colorado type free style landscape.
The depot is a model of the Glorieta, NM station using Red River Models of Tyler, TX kit.
The passenger train is the “starter kit” from Kato which is the first diesel passenger train.
The freight train is pulled by a Bachman 4-8-4 which was the last steam engine for Santa Fe.
I love Santa Fe because my Dad worked for them from age 17-65 as a telegrapher and Agent in E. Texas.
The hollow core door is topped with 1″ insulation foam and a second layer is used for the middle section.
The mountains are made from the left over insulation. There is a camping area on the back of the layout behind the mountain and next to the RR bridge that is not very visible in my pictures. Bought most of the building on E-Bay except for the depot kit.
Three of the buildings have the names of my grandsons on them-Bryce Wheels and Deals (Loves cars), Blake Broadcasting Company (BBC), and Jacob Cauley Texas Music Conservatory (will be a music major in college). May add a backdrop later. Jope you like my N scale
Dave & Carol
Houston, TX”
A huge thanks to Dave – I do love reading about your layouts and how folk add their own little twists.
There are hundreds and hundreds of N scale layouts on the site. Here are just some of them.
Bob’s stunning small N scale layout
“The only dedicated space I had available for a layout was a corner of my office/library, so I am now an N scale modeler.
My current layout is approximately 5 ft x 10 ft and built on a movable table for access.
“I live in New York and have been an N scale trains model railroader for many years. I love the pictures folks have submitted of their layouts giving photographic reality to their creations. My layout was constructed about 10 years ago after about 2 years of work on it. Though I continually make small changes at this time (such as landscaping and other scenic details), it is otherwise complete.
“I have pretty many different types of engines from steam to modern diesel. The majority I’ve painted and numbered to WM engines best possible. Switching from HO to N really puts a strain on the nerves and eyesight.
“My layout (N Scale) is about 24 feet by three feet, with a “dogbone” right angle section at one end for track return under a mountain.
At the other end there is about eight to ten feet jutting inward (away from the viewing front, which forms a harbor, that accomodates a chemical tanker piered for loading at a refinery.
“Completed the 1970s midwestern town, the hill (and park) above it. Everything was constructed on the workbench, and then moved to the layout (due to my physical limitations). Nothing is glued down, so opportunities for mods later, and if necessary complete dismantlement.
