Chicago Trailer

[tom mann]

I could never get one of these BN Chicago trailers in N scale for less than $50, thanks to the collectible nature of them.  MBK had them for $8 in HO scale.



I've seen a few truck trailer roofs, and the "Dirty Puddle" method seems to capture the dirty standing water method pretty well.  What do you think?

[Hyperion]

Superb work as always.

I do have 2 constructive comments if I may...

1>  That looks a bit too weathered to me.  That would certainly rank right up there with some of the dirtiest van trailers I've come across.

2>  If a trailer had managed to get that dirty meaning it must never have been cleaned, I'd expect to see some exhaust stains on the upper-front edge.

[tom mann]

Superb work as always.

I do have 2 constructive comments if I may...

1>  That looks a bit too weathered to me.  That would certainly rank right up there with some of the dirtiest van trailers I've come across.

2>  If a trailer had managed to get that dirty meaning it must never have been cleaned, I'd expect to see some exhaust stains on the upper-front edge.

Good points on both.  I may indeed clean it up a little, since I was thinking the same thing.  And for #2, I completely forgot about that :-[

Thanks!

[John]

I gotta agree .. most truckers seem to take very good care of their trailers .. this one looks like it had sat for a while .. the top streaks should be from front to rear ..

[rswinnerton]

Also, don't forget that most trailers and containers have two muddy streaks up the back doors courtesy of spine cars and front runners.. The wheels tend to throw up wet brake dust that sticks to them.
Russ

[James Costello]

Photos can be scarce, they're generally pretty clean (any excuse for a snow shot!):



One of the Redon patch-outs could be a better candidate for a grunge job:



Details: http://www.qstation.org/bn/cityvans.html

Article in June 2000 RMJ.

I love the job MT did on them on N, but I hate that their Fruehauf trailer is so distinctive. I've got 2x Memphis trailers here - 1 will become a Redon paint out. Probably fill in the bulkhead with putty or steal a nose from an Atlas Pines van....

[Wlal13again]

Tom, far be it for me to be critical of anything you do, but I agree, it`s a bit too weathered, most trailers have a film on them like a wash, and a bit of exhaust smoke stains on the right front corner, and the rims should have a small bit of rust or some oil sprayed on the inside from leaking seals. I used to be a trailer mechanic back in the day

[railbuilderdave]

Also, take a look at a truck as you pass it and you'll see there are streaks on the bottom rivets that run back and down from each rivet.  A very light wash would be best for this: I've been studying these since I planned on modeling some soon for my father (he was a truck driver).

rbDHD

[engineshop]

I think there is a difference between company or one man show own trailers. Big companies use their trailers as advertisement and would clean it periodically, especially if it says something about pride on it.
I think trailers like Tom Mann's can be found all over the country but they are usually own by guys that barely can pay for the diesel and don't even have there names on the side but faded lettering of the former owner.