Commission: J70 weathering in OO...

The Model-Rail J70 is a wonderfully conceived model, by Canadian firm Rapido. This commission is the first time I've had a chance to handle one of these in the flesh and I'm really impressed...

The first job was to add some of the details, mainly the cow-catchers, cleverly moulded in an Engineering type flexible plastic. I removed the screw link couplings from their hooks so the hook could be fitted despite retaining the tension lock couplings. The end doors were fitted, one closed, one open, based again on photos, secured with a touch of superglue. The etched plates were painted with satin black, once dry this was polished back with fine wet-and-dry paper and they were secured with tiny drops of superglue.

My customer asked for a subtle weathering (it's so easy to go over the top, a restrained yet realistic weathering is a lot harder to achieve in my experience). I began with studying a few photos of the prototype to observe where dirt collected and staining occurred before beginning work with a simple wash. Whilst wet this was wiped off with a sponge, vertically to give just the faintest of streaks in the direction of rain water. Once dry, I added a little more wash and staining in vertical streaks from the window sills and door ways. 

It was important to add the wash to the insides of the cab as well, where possible, to tone down the glossy finish of the cast metal chassis and boiler parts. The next stage was to simulate worn metal edges by dry brushing with gun-metal. The wheels were also treated to a rusty dirty brown colour applied whilst the loco was on the rolling road carefully by brush to avoid the wheel treads.

The roof was washed with a blacker wash and again sponged off in a side to side motion to represent rain streaking, and a light dribble of wash applied along the rain strips. Once dry, some small streaks added around the chimney.

The final step was the use of the airbrush to tone the various washes and dry brushing together, mixed up to give a dusty but warm tone to the completed model. The customer is looking forward to receiving the model home, and hopefully I can get some photos of it in use for a Friday update some time. 

I can offer weathering from just £60, the perfect way to transform your ready to run model and bring it to life. Get in touch for a personal proposal. More soon...