Commission: Heljan 47xx weathering…

Weathering steam locomotives is more nuanced than some of the other sort of work I undertake. The nature of the machine contributes a lot to the filth itself, then the way it is used, cleaned and cared for impacts how that is moved around, rubbed off deliberately removed…

This is a deluxe four stage approach, washes followed by micro adjustments, airbrush and drybrush. Real coal too in this case… Instsrted with the frames and wheels, then the footplate with the usual washes of various thickness and blend of 33/98. On to the uppers and the smokebox is very matt, so that was painted seperately. The boiler was given a dirty wash on the top and bottom surfaces and washed up and down with a wide flat brush. Cleaned off in a places and polished up with a soft cloth this was further blended with dirt from the airbrush, a sooty mixture from above which works well because it also matts down the top of the boiler too, adding further contrast.

 

Cab sides and tender a similar approach, but cleaner, the method leaving lovely remnants around rivets, the sheen of the Heljan paint and the matt of the wash as well as the colour. The roof and tender top were similarly dirtied up with quite a thick wash. Once dry this was softened with the airbrush.

 

The final step was to add some hilights, worn metal edges using drybrushed 53. It is important to not overdo this stage, so it was kept quite subtle. 

The overall result has the feel of a machine still cared for but showing it’s age, the subtle differences in colour and sheen offered by this multi-stage approach evident, yet because of the methods, this will blend nicely with other scenic items and ready to run rolling stock. If you’d like me to breathe life into some of your model collection I can offer a one stop shop, repaints, new identities, detailing, crew and weathering services can be combined, even sourcing if required. Get in touch using the form in the menu or via email using the Facebook link on the ‘Modelmaking Commissions’ page (not Facebook account required). In the meantime, I hope you’ve enjoyed these photos. More soon… 

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