Hey don't let tall dude see me over here he might throw me off the train. Nice place you guys have. I like all the blue and i like the logo looks cool. Ok just passing by and seen the open sign though we would stop and see whats going on. You all know me from the other depot.
full steam ahead

This is my quick "how-to" to weathering.

Hopefully you may find this somewhat helpfull.

Quote:This is my method of quick and easy weathering. I find it harder to explain what i do, then to actually do it!
The key is to practice until the desire effect is achieve. In my own experience I have found that
“heavy weathering” was easier to do then subtle one. Your best bet is too take it slow, use reference
pictures from the real thing and don’t go overboard. Your skills will get much better with practice so
don’t be discouraged. There’s lot of information “out there” and some specialized forum such has
Model trains Weathered (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.modeltrainsweathered.com">http://www.modeltrainsweathered.com</a><!-- m -->) to help you out. Be warned that
weathering is quite addictive. Most of the following can be found on my website.

Below I explain (or try to!) the following:

* The 5 minute weathering method
* Paint-Brush and Sponge method
* The Paint-Brush-Only method


Tools of the trade:

- Paint brush. From tiny to 1 ½ inches wide
- Cosmetic sponges
- Q-Tips
- Paper-towels
- A plastic lid, piece of cardboard, whatever will permit you to mix paint
to create the color needed.
- Reference picture

- Various water based and oil based paint (Burnt sienna, Raw Umber, Sand, Beige,
building brown, Dove Grey, Black, White, Leather)
- Rubbing alcohol: To diluted the paint. Water works well too.
- Weathering powder (Black, grey, rust)

Good Luck

MLW

Sorry, no time for pics. For the most part, everything I received was utilitarian in nature. However, before I get into the material part of the holiday, I spent the day watching my kids open gifts and play with their toys. We all spent the day together, enjoying each others company. It was a great Christmas.
Alright, now for the meat...
I got 2 rubbermaid drawer sets
some pastel chalks
a variety of wood dowels
a new xacto knife set
a magnifying visor
an assortment of adhesives.

The other gift has not arrived yet, as it was ordered last minute, the Bowser Light Pacific kit.

The best gift I could have received was to spend a nice day with my family. I hope everyone else got what they wanted.

Matt

Hope you're having a Merry Christmas, y'all.
My beautiful wife and I are going to the Greenberg Model Railroad show in Chantilly, Va., Saturday, the 27th of this month. (This weekend, to be exact.)
If any one out there will be attending, we would love to meet you. I won't be hard to identify, I have a full beard and moustache, and long hair. I'll also be wearing an engineer's cap. My wife will be the most beautiful lady there. She's about 5'8" and is a brunette, with blue eyes and the most beautiful smile you'll ever see.

I recieved a real air brush for Christmas. I don't have it in front of me right now so I can't gove you exact details of what it is, but I can tell you it is top of the line Badger, dual action. What I am looking for is lessons, on line or in book form so that I get off to the right start. I have had cheap ones that were junk but this one is the real thing. I mean profetional (spell check) stuff. The last thing I want to do is mess up a good new tool.
Les

I cant get an avatar that works. I used paint, and made a picture so small I cant see what it is, saved it, and I still get the too large message, I tried loading it from photobucket, and that wont work either. What do I need to do to get it smaller?

hi all


the other day i got a bottle of model flex csx bkue because my local hobby shop was out of the flouquil csx blue that i usually use. i have never spayed this brand of paint before. does anyone know much about it or have any suggestions as to the best way to apply it. also what psi is best . thanks very much.


todd

I have a Walthers HO scale 16 wheel depressed center flat, that I had nothing to haul on.
One day, I was staring at some empty printer cartridges sitting on my desk, when the lightbulb came on.

I could make something out of them and use it as a load. They came from my Epson All-In -One Printer.

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This isn't a Christmas story about trains. In fact, there is no trains in this story at all.
Its a personal story. One I think of every years since its happening. It also reminds me to think about those brave men and women, defending our freedoms, and can't be home to enjoy the holidays with their families. Family should be the most important thing for everyone. Especially this time of year.

December 24th, 1983.
I was stationed at Gieblestadt Army Airfield in the middle of nowhere Germany, with the 3rd Aviation Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division. I was in an aviation intermediate repair company that supported two combat companies of AH1-S(MZ) Cobra attack helicopters. We had just spent all day replacing a rotor head on one of Bravo Company's birds. and I was beat.
After a quick Christmas Eve dinner at the mess hall, I headed back to my room at the barracks, kicked off my boots, and settled back watching AFN(Armed Forces Network). We had three man rooms, but there was only me and one other guy, and he got leave and was spending Christmas stateside with family and friends. I was going to be alone on Christmas Eve, but I had planned on calling home that night.
Before I could really start relaxing, a knock came at the door. At first I thought it was my buddy Jesse, from Minnesota, asking me if I wanted to go to the EM club for a couple of beers. It wasn't my friend, but the CQ (Charge of Quarters) runner.

"Top wants to see you."
"OK "I told him. "Gimme a couple of minutes"
I put on my boots, straightened out my uniform, and headed for the First Sergeants office. When I got there, another guy from my unit was sitting on Top's couch. I gave my "Spec Four Gagnier reporting as ordered" routine.

"Specialist Gagnier" Top began."Paulson here has guard duty tonight, but traditionally they celebrate on Christmas Eve. He's looking for someone to switch with. He's willing to take your duty tomorrow, if you take his tonight."
I knew he had his family in country, and also had a small daughter. Since I was single, and had no real palns for that night. How could I refuse?
"If you do this" Top continued "I'll give you a three day pass to use at your choosing."
"No. That's OK. I think he should be with his family tonight."
I dismissed myself and went down to the arms room to draw my weapon. Went up to my room grabbed my gear, and headed to the Guard shack. When I got there, I reported to the Sergeant Of the Guard, and drew airfield, second trick. Duty was Twenty four hours, divided by three tricks two on/four off.When second trick came up, they loaded us in a jeep and dropped us off at our assigned areas, where we re leaved first trick.
It was about 9:30 or so, I was half way thorugh my trick, when the lights of a Jeep headed up the ramp in my direction. Kinda early I thought. It was the Sergeant Of The Guard.
"Someone wants to see you" he told me.
Out of the jeep, came Paulson, his wife, and his daughter, who couldn't of been no more than five years old. In Paulson's wife's hand, I could see an aluminum foil covered plate. The little girl was hugging a thermos, like it was her favorite doll.
"We thought you could use some nice hot food, and some hot chocolate."
The girl walked up to me and hoisted up the thermos. I took the thermos from her, and before I could say "Thank-you", the little girl wrapped her arms around my legs and gave me a big hug. "Thank-you Mister" she said. I looked over at Paulson, who was smiling.
"This was actually her idea."
I was looking for approval from the SOG, but he had already retreated back into the Jeep. Everyone stood there in silence while I ate probably the best Christmas dinner I have ever had, before or since, on the hood of the Jeep. When I finished the meal I handed the empty plate and thermos back to Mrs Paulson. Wished everyone "Merry Christmas". Just before they all loaded up back in the Jeep, the little girl was whispering something in her mothers ear. Mrs Paulson said"She wants to give you a kiss, if that's alright"
I bent down to where she could reach me and she gave me a peck on the cheek, then another big hug. "Thank-you for letting my daddy be home tonight. Merry Christmas" She then bounded back to the Jeep. The SOG turned it around and they were gone. I stood there with a warm feeling, both from the hot chocolate, the food, and that I kept a family together on Christmas Eve.

Oh...And even though I didn't want the three day pass for what I did. First Sergeant still gave me one. One that I never used the rest of my tour in Germany. For I felt I didn't deserve one, for being unselfishon Christmas,

Well, here's a shot of me taken some years ago at a rather unfortunate trespasser incident on Conrail near Greensburg, PA. In the distance you can see several people standing at the site and I am on my way to releive the other officer. Naturally, I'm not even there yet and am getting calls from 'the boss' wanting to know everything! A local news media photog caught me from behind walking down the track while making a very important call.