Commission: Brakes for Renfrew…

I've been re-working a pair of Bachmann 20T brake vans for Renfrew Wharf, to join the myriad of stock I've helped to create for the layout over the past 12-18 months...

This pair are pretty much out of the box - no modifications other than repainting the grey one into a lighter shade. The weathering is what brings them to life, and happily this follows similar methods to previously allowing the pair to blend in perfectly when they arrive home this week. These are layout models, not show case - they will be hardworking but need to blend in with the layout, so the factory fitted detail is perfect in this respect and nothing has been re-worked.

A wash sounds simple doesn't it, but by varying the mix of the base colours, as well as controlling how much we take off, add back, repeat the effect can be hugely impactful in transforming a model. I was careful to not let anything pool and remove all trace of brush marks - as well as avoiding that 'around the handrails' that you often get and is to some extent unavoidable. Once this was touch dry I applied a thicker wash to the handrails, left nearly to dry and then using a brush moistened in thinners gently 'cleaned' these up where hands would have been placed, leaving dirt elsewhere. A little micro painted rust streaking and dry brushed gun metal adds a little 'pop' and the airbrushed mix of usual colours blends and ties the techniques into a coherent whole. The use of these colours across the original layout and all stock weathered to date does mean they feel very much at one - that is why I always share the methods and colours with my customers should they want to continue the same work themselves.

The second vehicle was simply weathered using the same methods, this is a very early bauxite liveried van, so I've kept it a little cleaner to help my customer 'ring the changes' so to speak with his varied stock.

Brake vans on a short layout are an anachronism - they serve no modelling purpose but they make things just a little more complicated, and it is that which is part of the fun. If you have some models you'd like me to bring to life I can offer a simple weathering through to a complete repaint and anything in between. Get in touch for a fixed price no obligation proposal using the contact form here on the website, Facebook or the forums. Until next time, more soon...

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