Post by hlcx4300 on Mar 17, 2014 18:53:25 GMT -5
Here is a recently created model of mine made from a bargain priced KATO SD40-2 I got off of the bay. This is only my 2nd KATO made model now, I always stayed an Athearn guy myself but with a lack of decent snootnose SD40-2's decorated for Union Pacific, I decided to settle for a KATO unit (and it was a good price to) The unit I wanted to model with it was one of my favorite true rent wrecks, LTEX 3415, A Former UP Snootnose SD40-2 that has REALLY seen better days. www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=950535
When LTEX acquired this junker, it was in bad shape! The cab, nose and hood were faded and sunbleached. Once in their ownership, it was quickly patched in black in the typical early LTE tradition, taking black right from the can and handpainting it on right over the rust and grime! In the early 2000's most railroads were powershort and were leasing or borrowing anything they could get their hands on and outer looks didn't matter in most cases, at long as it ran. This particular unit received the black all the way from the highhood up to the cab. Overtime, this unit gathered further decay and the cheap black patches quickly wore off revealing the yellow underneath. With the KATO model in hand, I started the modifications by reworking the pilots and adding some small details like the new horn stand, antenna, dropsteps, MU stands, sanding lines and some details to the fuel tank. I also added the long airline running between the radiator and the horn uptop. The other details would be added after the model was complete. Next, I began the weathering process. I started from the nose and worked my way up to the cab, I made 3 batches of lighter yellow (dark to light) and applied it in layers with a sprinkle of baby powder between coats to create areas of texture. The results are perfect but I am glad that I didn't have to do this to the entire hood! Next, I added the black patching by handpainting it on just like in real life. After all the black was applied, I again made a batch of light yellow and with photo reference, proceeded to add the areas of deterioration where the black peeled off revealing the original color. Afterwards, I covered all of the untouched areas of grey with a heavy white wash to create the fading and then followed with more white, drybrushed on with a splotching motion. I let the white wash dry for a few hours and then followed behind with several custom made shades to create the patches of rust on the cab, sunshades, roof, nose, and ends. I then added the final details like the custom made UP style low profile plow, MU Cables, train line hoses and other small details before adding the whole model grime coat. I found that mixing a shade of earth brown and flat black acrylic together makes a very convincing grime coat that matches well to nearly every road. I applied this to the entire underframe, fuel tank, trucks, pilots, and also a few spots along the diamond tread walkway plating. Next I added all of the decals, I used microscale sheet numbers 87-1418, 87-1068, & 87-1237 for the road numbers, LTEX logos, and some assorted Microscale and Highball Graghics sheets for the warning labels. I then added the final weathering touches and sealed everything together with dullcoat. Below is the finished model of LTE 3415 ready to be put in service as a trailing motor!
