Reverse weathering?

[Tad_T]

I think that it looks good.

[OldEastRR]

It's your RR, you're the boss of it and what's acceptable. To me, the wash doesn't quite mask the fact the underlying paint is black. Especially at the round logos. The thing is the black is still discernable as a solid block of black with defined edges, even through the wash.  Instead of rusty red, how about painting most of the car the WM hopper red? And with the tip of a brush just the protruding edges of the ribs (not the whole rib) the same red? Then wash the black parts -- maybe even a faint patches of reds on some black parts with no printing. You can always weather the WM red parts to match the washed black parts.

[wm3798]

All good suggestions, @OldEastRR

The thing with coal hoppers is they run in herds, and apart from wheel bearings, are probably the least maintained rolling stock on the railroad, being as they are pretty much constantly in motion.  I'm putting my faith in the idea that this individual set of 5 cars will be blended in to a larger fleet, and thus any substantial deficiency in their appearance will be overlooked by all but the most discerning observer, which is most likely to be the camera and its on-line audience of Siskells and Eberts.  When scrutinized, I anticipate a smattering of Thumbs Downs, and I'm okay with that.  The goal at this point is to get them on the rails and into revenue service.

Lee

[chessie system fan]

More fuel for the fire.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/267019582539

You can tell it's a WM hopper with a circular herald, but I don't see a smidge of red.  But I do see a lot of steam engine ash, coal dust and brake shoe dust.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Those WM consols were serious megachonkers...

[learmoia]

Some inspiration.
(Attachment Link)

Well this seems like solid proof that they came in black..

[Missaberoad]

Well this seems like solid proof that they came in black..

Looking closly at them, I would say those cars are oxide red. Coal dust is pretty powerful and destroys colors pretty quick.

As an example this car is Action Red 

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[learmoia]

Looking closly at them, I would say those cars are oxide red. Coal dust is pretty powerful and destroys colors pretty quick.

As an example this car is Action Red 

(Attachment Link)

But I would think the lettering should be equally covered in coal dust along with the car.
.. To me the lettering seems too white against the black to be a weathered brown car.

[chessie system fan]

Here's an even better WM example.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/365133614835

[OldEastRR]

Let's not forget who owns the Retro Layout!!! His word is final.

[CRR Chase]

Lee, interesting approach. Try one more thing to give it the dirty coal look.. now that you've done the red wash, perhaps a nice dusting with a dark brown or black pastel powder would benefit your desired look?

Not something i would have attempted, so kudos on your effort

[wm3798]

At some point, I'll fire up the air brush and give a lot of equipment a bit of brake dust and road grime to even everything up.  Good tip!
Lee

[wm3798]

All five cars are done.


Lee