Commission: Alco S4 repaint…

I don’t do North American HO scale commissions - this is an exception, a favour if you like for blog regular and customer Alan Sewell, a makeover of his Atlas DCC Sound fitted Alco S4…

The model is almost as she came, bar the replacement horn and cab sun-shades - otherwise a simple strip down to components and removal of paint in the IPA bath - the metal chassis was rubbed down after masking the trucks and drive train. Primer followed, then a custom mixed yellow, bright but dark enough to work with white decals. Black roof and hood top, along with grabs finished things off. Alan supplied his own custom decals.

A fairly restrained weathering followed to tie the finish together and bring the model to life, yellow is always difficult - I used Humbrol 110 as a panel line wash for the doors before the usual 98/33 on the chassis and around the pilots and steps. Humbrol 33 was applied to the exhaust and hood and washed down the sides. Airbrushed 133/245/27004 blended this and dirtied the roof and hood up. Final touch 53 drybrushed on the walkways and edges to add a glint of worn metal.

Alan has already sent me a photo of her back in action on his lumber layout so I must share that this Friday. Until then, if you have a model you’d like help with, from a simple weathering to a complete refinish - as well as kit and scratch building, oh, and layout design and build… get in touch on the commissions page to start the conversation. Until next time, more soon…

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