+- (https://bigbluetrains.com)
+-- Forum: Mainline (https://bigbluetrains.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=17)
+--- Forum: HO Modeling (https://bigbluetrains.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=21)
+--- Thread: Current Projects (/showthread.php?tid=9819)
RE: Current Projects - ngauger - 12-30-2025
Looks great!!
Can't wait to see it lighted
RE: Current Projects - LiveSteamer - 01-09-2026
Over the holiday I had ordered a 12 set of powders from ebay. Not knowing what I was getting myself into, I started off small with weathering a couple of things. As I got more comfortable with what I was working with, I moved onto a couple engines. I've watched video after video of how to use the powders and read the instructions over a couple times. I think I have done a decent job but want to know what you all think. I'm including a few photo's of the things I've weathered. In my opinion I think the GP40 needs a little more weathering on the trucks.
C&I #17
CR GP40
CR #0
RE: Current Projects - TMo - 01-09-2026
I'm a big fan of powders - mine are PanPastels (blacks, browns, grays, rusts). A good suggestion for application is to buy a set of cosmetic brushes - I got everything from a small applicator to a 1" diameter brush to dust on the powder. You can either leave them on as is or seal them with Dullcote. Personally, I apply to just about every surface with special attention to seams, grabs, roofs, handrails, etc., but I model a set of bankrupt railroads with a great deal of equipment that hasn't been serviced well for several years.
Lookin' great so far. My suggestion is to play around with the powders. If you feel like you just overdid it, wipe or wash and you can start over.
RE: Current Projects - tompm - 01-09-2026
Matt Looking good. I really like the way the trucks look. To me that is where the powders really "shine."
Like Todd I am a big fan of PanPastels. Although I never thought about cosmetic brushes. Off to Amazon....
RE: Current Projects - TMo - 01-09-2026
I asked my wife if she had any old brushes she was looking to donate to my model railroad and all I got was a weird stare. I think I might have picked them up at the Dollar Store.
RE: Current Projects - LiveSteamer - 01-13-2026
Thank you Tom & Todd. I honestly never thought about the cosmetic brushes either. I just use cheap brushes from Dollar General. I got 22 Brushes and 2 Sponge Brushes for $6 and some change. The brushes are working great with the powders. Now the powders that I'm using are DOC O'BRIEN'S Weathering Powders from Micro-Mark. I know there are quite a few different types of powders out there but these seem to be working good for me considering it's my first time ever weathering anything.
RE: Current Projects - LiveSteamer - 01-13-2026
Updated Pictures of the GP40 and GP35. I think they look much better with some more weathering added especially the ex Penn Central locomotive.
3091
2263
RE: Current Projects - bdw9535 - 01-13-2026
Matt, looks like you off to a good start. Just be careful as it's quite easy to overdo your weathering. One suggestion is to look at photos of the type of cars you want to weather.
Bruce
RE: Current Projects - hillyard999 - 01-14-2026
Good morning all,
re brushes,
I was surprised that the price of a cosmetic make-up brush was roughly half the price of a similar watercolor painting brush.
I got mine from Malwart to use for brushing dust from rolling stock.
Yes, I take the cars OUTSIDE before I re-arrange the dust particles!
RE: Current Projects - LiveSteamer - 01-15-2026
(01-13-2026, 04:13 PM)bdw9535 Wrote: Matt, looks like you off to a good start. Just be careful as it's quite easy to overdo your weathering. One suggestion is to look at photos of the type of cars you want to weather.
Bruce
Thank you Bruce.
Yes I did find it was easy to over weather. I did that with one piece of rolling stock and washed it all off. I do have some photos of the MT-4 slugs that I’m using to weather #1003 at the moment.
RE: Current Projects - LiveSteamer - 02-12-2026
The long awaited project of Conrail RS3M #9950 has officially started. I started off with the front of the engine building that part and had that sitting since I said I was going to build this engine. Tonight is the official start of this build. The front platform, cab, rear hood, horn, and smoke stacks are all just sitting on the frame so I can get a good idea of how it is to look. The rear headlight will need some work and I have the piece for the light. This will be another project that I will take my time with as this is only the second scratch build I am doing. I think I have come up with an idea for the front truck so it can be mounted back on. I also need to cut the window on the engineers side and make it to 3 windows instead of the two you see. I will show that later on as I want to test it out to see if it works. Also as of right now the rear truck will be the only one powered so it wont have to guts to pull long strings of railroad cars.
As for the MT-4 slug, I need to order decals, glue down the walkways, add lights to both ends and it will be finished. I did have a problem with the one set of wheels on the one truck but I got that fixed. Every time I would move the slug, I would get a bad vibration and it took some thinking as to what it could be. I found the problem and it was as weird as it sounds, the gears on the wheels were rubbing bad which caused the vibration. Once I removed the gears off the axles, problem was solved. Once I get everything done with the slug, I will post pictures.
As for right now I am posting pictures of the RS3M.
The Start
The rear hood added
The rear headlight
Everything sitting not glued except for the rear headlight
RE: Current Projects - jim currie - 02-13-2026
Matt, I think you're getting the scratch building bug. Great is it not.
Jim
RE: Current Projects - LiveSteamer - 02-13-2026
(02-13-2026, 03:57 PM)jim currie Wrote: Matt, I think you're getting the scratch building bug. Great is it not.
Jim
Yes it is. I did find a model on the internet that someone did and it shows a lot of the details that you can’t see from photos of the real version.
RE: Current Projects - tompm - 02-13-2026
Off to a nice start, Matt. Will be interesting to follow.
RE: Current Projects - LiveSteamer - 02-13-2026
(02-13-2026, 05:41 PM)tompm Wrote: Off to a nice start, Matt. Will be interesting to follow.
Thank You Tom. It is actually a really fun build right now.