S13u in H0: Ready for business...

It is the process of weathering, that in my opinion is the stage a model comes to life...

Yes, the artistic touch is seen elsewhere in a model, choosing what detail to include and how to represent it in miniature, what to ignore and what to perhaps accentuate - but it is the process of adding dirt, oil, grease and worn surfaces, corrosion and such that transfer the model into a minitature recreation of that living breathing prototype.

I don't care if it's a locomotive, item of rolling stock, road vehicle, building or track, everything needs to be considered and weathered in the same artistic manner. The techniques may vary slightly but the shades of colour do not and it's the consistency in palette that can blend disparate models and finished, ready to run, kits, scratch builds all together.

The Kaslo Shops S13u has been a good fun project and I've enjoyed bringing the model to life with some subtle weathering. Working from photos I added a wash to all horizontal surfaces at running board and lower. The footplate sides were then carefully washed and micro painted based upon where dirt and grease collected or was dragged down by water. This extended to the pilots each end as well. On the chassis I used a similar blend of colours to match the patterns of colour and texture found on the real 8704. Primarily all of this was mixed using Humbrol enamels, 33 and 98 - the two good old favourites.

Once dry, I used an airbrush with 0.3mm needle to carefully blend these touches together, softening the effect of the streaks. The mix was about 1 part Humbrol 133, 1 part 245 and two parts 27004. I also added some vertical 'streaks' to the bonnet side - subtle and steady as she goes, you don't want to over-do it. The exhaust stack got a good dose, and then the under frame too, before a very light dusting all over. These colours are the same as I used on the GP15, and have also used on the rolling stock weathered so far - so they should have a good overall appearance when finally they get used together.

The result is, to my eye, a hard working but reliable machine that looks as if it's just finished a shift and is ready for the next. All that remains is to build a layout for it! Until then though, more soon...