Weathering a loco

Would anyone out there know how to go about weathering a loco??!!

It has been done in the past with Taw Valley at the SVR and one of the 9F's, and i was wondering if anyone on here actually knows what they used to achieve that work worn effect.

Obviously it has to be easily removable!!!

Cheers

Iain

 

Grey poster paint was used on Taw Valley. Check out photos of the S&D gala where half of the tender is red and the other half is grey.

 

Cheers for the quick reply.

These ones then: http://www.sharpos-world.co.uk/cpg/displayimage.php?album=301&pid=3284#top_display_media

Looks pretty good. Will have to experiment before i cover the whole loco in the stuff then!!

Cheers

Iain

 

What're you plotting then, Iain...?

It may be worth getting in touch with the WSR - they turned out "Odney Manor" in a weathered condition for a 1960s gala in 2001 (pic is here http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?h=Sixties Weekend 2001&t=sixties2001pix). The DEPG also turned out D1010 in weathered BR blue for a gala in 1997 (pic here, courtesy of Martin Loader http://www.hondawanderer.com/1010_Williton_1997.htm) - which looks pretty 'on the nail' in terms of realism.

The East Somerset also used to hold 'Dirty Engine Weekends' back in the early to mid 1990s, when locos were apparently weathered with flour-bombs etc! 92203 famously appeared with 'Balls to Beeching' chalked on the cabside for one of these events... More recently, the Mid Hants also weathered a few Bullieds etc for the 'End of Southern Steam' 40th Anniversary Gala.

Personally speaking, I'm not convinced by the 'grey' weathering on Taw Valley - it doesn't look right (even in black and white). If you're going to do it, I reckon that being subtle is the key - removing nameplates/safety valve bonnets etc creates the right impression, as do chalked reporting numbers etc, or 'home-made' headboards a la 1968. A light patina of dirt adds to the illusion - not obliterating the loco in filth. Less is more...

Intrigued what you're up to, at Llan shed!

Cheers,

Phil.

 

This link might work:
http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/gallery8a.cgi?h=Snapshot&p=newspix/7828md_tb

Richard