Hi all!
Been reading CTT since it’s inception way back when. Did some time in “S” gauge and recently inherieted my Dad’s Lionel trains from when he was a youngster. Anyway building a small layout and had a question. Does anyone know somebody that can weather some diecast for me? I am not very artistic and they are commercial vehicles so I need them relettered and then weathered.
That’s it for now. I am sure there will be more questions as time goes on. Thanks in advance for any answers!
Strogey
Stogey, maybe you realize there was just an article in Classic Toy Trains about doing this very thing. The article is easy to follow and well-illustrated and would be a good place for you to start and learn.
When I first re-entered the hobby, I had no idea what I was going to end up doing. If you had asked me then to build an engine, I would have said I couldn’t, but now I know I can because I have done it. But I started simple, building my confidence and skill levels. First I started with simple kitbashing of building kits and repainting them. I quickly worked my way up. I look back now on some on my early repaints and I’m proud of them.
Part of the fun - and also doing the hobby on a budget - is learning to do things yourself, like with anything else. You can buy used trains or beaters, but if you have to take every one of them to a repair guy, that will quickly defeat any cost saving of doing so… you might as well buy brand new. Learning to do this stuff yourself not only saves you money, but it will absolutely highten your enjoyment of the hobby.
I would encourage you to take a couple of the cheapest vehicles you have and start off with them. You may very well surprise yourself just how well you do. Below are a couple of my early projects. I was green to all this, all you might notice I used the wrong CNJ hearld on the cab for the “coast guard” scheme. But I was pleased how well I did, especially with the stripe decals on the front over the grill detail. along with my added details. The car behind it was also a very early attempt at an operating car. I wanted to mimic one of the Lionel toxic waste cars. It’s an MPC-era flat car with K-Line crates glued on to it, with flashing red blinking lights inside the crates that flash in a lighted dome on top of the crates.
Even though most of my trains are quite common items, I have turned them into totally unique one-of-a-kind trains.
Welcome Strogey!
First off, Brian, Great job on painting the bell!
Strogey: I did a search on ‘weathering cars’ and found http://kalmbachcatalog.stores.yahoo.net/fspdf024.html
Fine Scale Modeler Magazine is deadicated to doing just what you’re asking for, so, for $5 I recommend trying this article.
Kurt