HO scale Tunnel Motor

[tom mann]

I posted these to TrainBoard last month, but thought you would like to see them here.  As always, I'll take both good and bad comments.

[pfs]

I think you will be hard pressed to get bad comments on this unit.

Great work.

-pfs (paul)

[Chris333]

I like the doors with the rubbed off dirt! Do you use an altered Preiser hand for that?

[tom mann]

I like the doors with the rubbed off dirt! Do you use an altered Preiser hand for that?

 ;D  Nope, just a little brush with a little alcohol...

[James Costello]

Can you explain your technique a little Tom?

Did you fade it first with an airbrush, before adding the grime etc?

Weathering my SD40T-2's is still on the to-do list. One day....

[tom mann]

Can you explain your technique a little Tom?

Did you fade it first with an airbrush, before adding the grime etc?

Weathering my SD40T-2's is still on the to-do list. One day....

Yes, I fade with an airbrush using a tan color that I mix with reefer white and earth (or mud, or dirt - depends).  At this step, I also airbrush the trucks and tank with dirt, mud, grimy black, rust, whatever works based on a photo that I like. 

The more drastic fading on this model is a result of 70% alcohol reacting with the airbrushed fade coat.

[SAH]

Tom,

Consider painting air vents and inlets more of a uniform black or weathered black color.  At the very least the surface behind the grille should be black.

Steve

[Mark5]

that is one ragged out unit!

[kiwi_al]

Tom's eyesight must be gettin bad, I could swear thats one of those thar HOers! ;D ;D ;D
Awesome weathering 

[tehachapifan]

That may be the most realistic SP-type weathering I've seen.

Russ

[Wlal13again]

Looks like she took a lot of trips across The Stormy.. Good job Tom..

[Sokramiketes]

Nice, very nice.

The only thing I could say, would be that  you seem to be relying on the fade coat for everything, but then not coming back with enough shadow highlighting to make the models look real and not washed out.  More contrast might help.  Keep the balance between light and dark.

John Pitts for reference:

[tom mann]

Yes, good point Mike, I can use more black next time for sure.