Hi all. Can anyone out there tell me what details I might add to my “plain jane” N scale Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern to spruce its looks up a bit. So far I’ve painted the bell brass color and the running lights amber. What else might I do ?..
Tracklayer
When in doubt, follow the prototype! The prototype is always right.
The biggest improvements to this loco can only be done if you shave off the molded on details and then add them back the right way.
That being said, follow your prototype, or if you’re freelancing then you can mix and match from the prototype.
Here’s some ideas to that end…
(Click to enlarge any of these pics)
How about making a set of elephant ears?
Maybe some whitewall tires?
or, maybe a smokebox color change…
maybe some numberboards halfway down the boiler?
Also, the firebox could be painted…
Maybe some windowframes in red and a covered pilot?
This one shows white on the running boards, silver cylinder heads, and ditch lights!
Inside the cab could be spruced up with people and other details…
[img]http://64.246.11.82/images/images2/1/100_3774a.jpg.68017.jpg[/i
THe best thing you can do is to make up a prototype standard & stick to it. From the smokebox to the tender, there can be many detail bits to add & paint. Then you get to weather it.
A qucck way to change things is to add some color to details like cab windows, etc. Every road developed it’s own character different from any other. Get a good photo of your home road & work from that.
Thanks a lot for the photos and advice guys. I failed to mention that it’s a Santa Fe (#3780), so I’m going to have to go with the details like those of 3751 if anything.
Tracklayer