02-04-2012, 10:12 PM
Here's an idea for the weathering. I copied these from some color pics of CNJ hoppers from the Late 40's early 50's. They were also used only in anthracite coal traffic. The paint was worn off right down to an oxide red primmer or what may have been the bare metal. The red color may be from the type of steal that they used, it had a high copper content to resist rust.
My other car is a locomotive, ARHS restoration crew