Commission: Accurascale MCO weathering...

I recently sold this pair of Accurascale MCO from my own collection. The purchaser requested a quote to transform these with some weathering, to bring them to life...

As the most numerous wagon type on British Rail at the time I suppose it's not a surprise that it's the most frequent type of commission here on the bench. 16T, 21T and 24T all have graced the workshop, in significant numbers. This latest pair then, part of another large(ish) batch prepared this week (the others will follow in a post next week).

 

It goes without saying the base model is very nice tooling indeed - lovely Code 88 wheel sets and fine W irons - the finesse of the brake gear and the variety of tooling to allow them to model so many variants. The first step in their transformation is to paint the bodyside rust markings with a mix of Humbrol 33, 62 and 98 - patches, rust marks, flaking paint... and then once dry sealed with satin lacquer. 

 

A wash of 33 and 98 then is applied in various consistency and balance to the chassis, wheel faces and rears before a thinner wash is applied to the body and removed with a wide flat brush leaving subtle streaking. This is adjusted and neatened up and once dry the interior painted a dirty rusty colour. The final step is airbrushed 133, 245, 27004 (the first two now discontinued) along the bottom edges of the body and chassis and around the top and inside, softening any harsh edges remaining after the wash.

The result, a pair of quite different condition wagons, this pair heading for Renfrew where they will mingle with Bachmann 16T and 24T examples as well as Accurascale 21T. Their consistent weathered finish tying them together into a coherent story, told by David through his back story and passion for the subject and period - read more about Renfrew in the next Model Railway Companion - out shortly. 

Until next time, more soon...

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