by Sandra Fikes

Created on: March 19, 2008   Last Updated: September 13, 2011

Even pristine layouts can benefit from properly applied weathering, but there are many who say they can not bring themselves to weather the train they just bought. I think it is not a fear that their train will look ugly, but that they lack the confidence to feel they can make it look better by weathering it.

CAN I REALLY DO THAT? 

If you are looking at pictures of a realistic model train layout and wondering if you could possibly do that, the answer is "Yes, you can." Many lack the confidence to just jump in and try something, but I have always believed that if someone else has the skills to do something, then I have it within me to learn those skills as well - and so do you.

You are just as capable as anyone else, you just might not be as practiced as the person who's skill you admire. They were once no more skilled than you are, few of us are born with an innate skill at weathering scale trains - I know I was not. The first step is to get some inexpensive train cars that you can practice on. Then practice, practice, practice.

WHY WEATHER?

Weathering creates realism. Even if your layout is a pristine example of the pre-1950s Southern Pacific Railroad, who repainted their freight cars every ten years, it will have some indication of weathering. Dust from a long haul might have accumulated, or the freight car might be overdue to be repainted, but one way or another there will be some indication of weathering.

Another good reason for weathering is that it accents the details. When model railroad cars are new they have a flat finish, with little or no appearance of something assembled from separate parts. By adding a hint of weathering you can make a shadow effect that accents the rivets and door hardware, making the details stand out and giving the freight car a more realistic appearance.

Weathering can also, of course, give you the look of an old freight car covered by rust from decades of weathering.

BEFORE YOU START

The most important step in weathering your train set is deciding what the finished layout will look like. Study your layout, or think of what you will build. Is it an urban train yard? A scenic mountain setting with a small town? Have you recreated a real train such as the Southern Pacific or the Alaskan railroad?

Now, collect some pictures of real trains that fit your layout so you can get an idea on the kind of natural wear trains in that setting display. By doing some good research before you begin, you can get a good feel for the weathering

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