Reasons for the Rust: What to Weather & Why?

[TiogaTracks]

As I try to improve my weathering skills, I’ve tried to pay attention to how real freight cars weather.  Usually I just follow a prototype photo, but while working on my New Jersey Zinc tank car, I couldn’t find a relevant photo.  That made me think how there are probably hundreds of different effects you can include in a weathering job, like:

• scrapes with rust streaks below them
• narrow streaks of grime thrown up by the wheels
• varying stages of rotting wood
• car roofs fading from sun exposure
• white pigment running or forming streaks
• grease from bearings, trackside greasers, or moving part servicing

Given so many possibilities, I’d like to pick some go-to effects to use often.  So, what weathering effects do you think are most vital to convincing weathering?  What do you make sure to include that everyone else seems to forget?



Just as examples, I thought of these effects in doing this car:

• an area of failed paint causing a wide rust patch
• minor spilled liquid loads
• areas of heavy foot traffic rusting more
• roof fading and losing shine compared to sides
• dirt thrown up by wheels
• couplers and wheel faces rusting

I’d love to get you guys’ thoughts on this.

-Steven

[CRL]

What liquid is being hauled? If a corrosive or acid, the weathering will be different than if an oily liquid.

[TiogaTracks]

This particular tank is labeled for acid.  Do you have any suggestions of easy ways to look up what a chemical does to steel?  I understand some acids strip paint, causing major rust.  Anyone know if that’s a safe assumption across the board, or do various acids cause different sorts of spills?

The chemicals my line will haul are mostly acids, tannins, lignin, agricultural chemicals, and industrial oils.

-Steven

[CRL]

Try finding some photos of acid tankers and go from there.

[Steveruger45]

Some acids, when spilled and then exposed to water can turn the paint stripped  steel a crusty white color.
Checking photos would be best if you can’t do some acid tank car railfaning