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Post by Randy Earle on Jan 28, 2009 12:56:10 GMT -5
Many of us (prototype and freelance) model railroads that have Black locomotives, ie... N&W, Southern, NKP, Penn Central, and a few others. When building a locomotive for one of these roads, most of the detail is obliterated by the darkness of the black paint. Some suggest weathering will help bring back the detail, but even then much of the detail is still hidden. When modeling an all black or dark color locomotive should we keep some of that detail that is hidden off? I for one have been contemplating just that, detail the diesel where the detail is noticeable, and not sweat the places where you can't see it anyway. On the other hand, I would think twice about building a sizeable fleet of diesels that were light colored below the walkways because much of the detail would be missed if it wasn't modeled. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
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SCL
Engineer
Pulling for you!
Posts: 49 
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Post by SCL on Jan 28, 2009 13:50:02 GMT -5
I will usually model the parts you wouldn't see anyways, the perfectionist in me won't allow me to do any less. The underframe is where the 'problem' is; I spend a lot of time getting mine just right and painting it all engine black hides all the hard work. In that situation, I would put extra work into weathering to bring the details back out. Honestly, unless someone was familiar with all the bells and whistles of a locomotive, no one notices underframe detailing. For most modelers, locomotive (especially underframe) details are not their 'cup of tea'.
It seems like all of my past locomotive projects were black; SCL, NS, G&O, etc. However, even black locomotives are not jet black, but rather a gray color. Not even SCL units stayed black for very long, and most quickly faded to gray. I believe it is also a regional thing, in the South paint does not typically stand a chance in the long days with Summer sun. Paint down here typically becomes noticeably faded within a few months. I suppose that is why SCL units would be so much more faded than something from the PC or N&W.
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Post by redp on Jan 28, 2009 19:10:31 GMT -5
well I dont do what cant be seen either, and I dont do underframe detailing. I do a little with fuel tanks, and detail the trucks(if needed), then just the basis car body stuff.
P
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Post by wvsecondary on Jan 30, 2009 15:47:40 GMT -5
I model NS and Ohio Central and don't do much underframe detail. I go crazy topside but find just about everything I do on the underframe gets knocked off at some point. Primarily just do fuel tank, bells and air filters. I build to run and have 100+ built locos so I am always taking locos off and on the layout.
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Post by wvsecondary on Jan 30, 2009 23:08:56 GMT -5
I do have a few pics but not photobucket account. I currently have 6 units painted in the maroon and grey scheme and 5 in patch jobs that are same as what they have. I would be happy to email anyone copy of pics. Just not sure how to post without photobucket
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Post by wvsecondary on Feb 2, 2009 16:09:04 GMT -5
I will take some pics tonight and email to you Tuesday.
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Post by sd45longhoodfoward on Feb 11, 2012 16:05:12 GMT -5
Randy you are right about the details being hidden due to dark colors and the shadowing or difusing of light i to have noticed in photos that only the high points stick out but with some heavy weathering like i see on the units mostly in the winter time do they show up i guess due to melting ice &snow with the natural terrain colors dirt sand red clay and road salts from the grade crossings like on cars and trucks etc...so i guess with the higher your mainlines or model displays the more highlights and details will show with winter time weathering .I model dark roads Southern Norfolk Southern, D&RGW, SP, and if you model Light color road you get the oppsite effect it all blends together
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