im new to model railroading myself. im trying to get 10 locos painted. waltheres or athearn dont make sw1500’s. and green and yellow gp9s. also i need 4 sd70 macs cause im trying to have a mkt as if it didnt get bought out.
can anyone help me? im from memphis. memphis isnt actually a hub for model railroading.
Join the group. The Southern models are mine, the NYC models are a friends of mine.
-Smoke
wow those look amazing! how do i join!
I was speaking figuratively…but get one painted and your in. I don’t even have one painted fully yet, but i’m working on it. If you want to see more NYC pics PM me and i’ll send you a link where you can see more.
-Smoke
This is my first attempt at doing this. I started with an unpainted Bowser PCC car. The paint is from Lowes, and maybe one can from the Local Hardware Store, both just garden-variety spray paint cans. I made the decals myself on my computer.
I painted model airplanes when I was a kid, and had trains then, but this is the first time I’ve ever painted and finished a model like this. So, the simple answer is, most anyone with time, patiences and minimal pre-existing modelling skills can do this.
I don’t do diesel, but since I have a fondness for both a particular railroad and unpainted brass steamers, you just about HAVE to do your own painting and decalling. In my case, it’s another one of those Fallen Flags that Onion Pathetic swallowed up, only instead of MKT, it’s Rio Grande.
Microscale makes a myriad of decals for modelers, and once you get the hang of using an air-brush, it makes for some really unique models. Actually, decalling is the trickiest part of the process, because you have to prepare the surface (I use Testor’s Glosscote spray), then set the decal with several setting solutions and make good and sure you don’t have air-bubbles trapped in there (if you do, you can prick them with a needle and re-apply the decal setting solution). Then for a flat finish, go over the model with Testor’s Dullcote (which seems to be absolutely fool-proof).
Luckily, there are lots of good model paints availble, and it shouldn’t be hard to come up with the right shade of either MKT red or green. Just remember–do several LIGHT coats instead of one heavy one.
I lived in Texas for four years during the 1960’s, and always thought that the MKT had some of the most attractive paint schemes I’ve ever seen. Neat railroad, glad you’re modeling it.
Tom
Are you trying to come up with a “modern” MKT scheme, or do you need help with the physical painting of the units? Or both I guess. My very first painting I ever did was to match a friends E8 uints to his Mopac Passenger cars. Then I did the first ever PV&W passenger units. THEN I started painting my own. There has to be someone in the Memphis area that can do this sort of work. If not shipping isn’t to bad.
I have a business that specializes in just that. We also do weathering. I hope this helps you out! Send me a message or e-mail me at protopaintwest@hotmail.com
Also check out my site at http://protopaintwest.googlepages.com 
Enjoy!
Um, I see that the PC Thought Police are active here, again. In my original post I said something about using a needle to get rid of air bubbles on decals.
The word was p-r-i-c-k. It means to jab gently with a sharp-pointed object.
OBOY!
Tom
memphis ey? ha knoxvilles better! [;)] Edit:i’m real close to Knox
I basically taught myself how to do it. I picked up some really cheap plastic kits - cars, a building or two, put them together, and played around with a cheap airbrush and different paints until I was happy with the results I got. Then I played with masking so as to create stripes and multi-color paint jobs. I didn’t have much trouble getting the hang of decals, except it takes a good eye to make sure they are straight and level. I still have trouble once in a while with settling solutions - solvaset and the like. The decal gets VERY fragile once it is soaked with solvaset, and it tears very easily if you try to re-position it while it is wet. Make sure you have it just the way you want it before using a settling solution!
If I had to give only one tip, I would say “Spray Painting”. You will never be satisfied with brush painting! Paint cans (Tester’s or the local Farm & Fleet) or an airbrush, paint that closley matches the colors you want and practice!
Decals are available and even some dry transfers to get you to your end product! And a very good point from “tohowalk” regarding any setting / settling soulation.
The only two tips that I can offer that I feel are very worth while:
1)) Paint only in light coats…Just enough for good coverage.
2)) If the paint isn’t glossey…Give it a quick shot of gloss before doing the decals or transfers. Then a coat of Dull Coat / Matte / Flat to seal it all, when you have everything in place.
If you use scale coat, you dont need the gloss coat before you decal.
David
thanx everybody for your tips!