Commission: Hornby Peckett B2 weathering...

Amongst the myriad of newer industrial releases (the Planet Industrials Victory, the Rapido Hunslet to name the big two) it is perhaps easy to forget that if it wasn’t for Hornby demonstrating there may be a viable market would we have OO industrial ready to run at all?

The second of Hornby’s steam releases was the 0-6-0st Peckett B2. In the first release was a striking lined blue NCB liveried example, and it’s a model that I’ve weathered before (as well as owning and repainting my own before selling it on). This time, it’s nice to be tracing back to these previous models and bringing another to life to share with you all here.

There is no secret formula for weathering, it is both observed and practiced - but perhaps more importantly, it is felt. Washes are used to knock back the factory finish and add shadow, detail painting picks out elements of the specific prototype and airbrushing adds a softening effect to the work whilst allowing tinting and adjustment if shade and sheen. Dry brushing the magic ingredient to add life to the finish with worn step edges and such around the model.

Observing patterns and colours, where dirt collects and where it is polished off either deliberately or by accidental brushing of overalls or foliage. These tells help carve out a story for the model in your own layout context. The dirty tank top so reminiscent of steam in the post war period, where cleaners and crew could seldom reach and the signs of a hard working existence were plain to see.

My work is more than just weathering, I really love your models and it is important to breathe real life into them for you. Notice here how the dirt of the coal load has over days of use and rain streaked down the back and sides of the bunker, making this dirtier than elsewhere. Notice too, how the crew clambering in and out of the cab on yet another shift have polished the paint from the edges of the cab door opening.

Whilst others offer weathering services, I hope you can see that I offer more - support in telling your story, to bring your models, your lead actors to life. If you’d like to collaborate then get in touch for a no obligation fixed price proposal, you can use the contact form here, Facebook (where you can email me directly I think) or the forum messenging systems. In the meantime, more soon…

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