Big Blue has inspired some purchases

[TMo]

That darn Murphy is very dependable!

It dawned on me that while the chassis and hood were separated, this was a great time to weather the locomotive. 


   

As handsome as the original paint job was, it's way too pristine for "Rainbows in the Gorge".  As usual, the first step in my weathering process is to fade all of the paint on the locomotive.  Which is a good thing with this gray, because it's too dark for the Erie Lackawanna.  It may take several coats to get a decent enough fade.  My fade recipe is nothing but Tamiya X-21 paint mixed with some rubbing alcohol.  Slap it on all surfaces, let it dry to a haze and then rub the haze off with a dry stiff-bristled paintbrush.  Instant fade, and the byproduct is that with this fade coat on there, all of the washes and dry brush applications just seem to "stick" better.  Once everything has been brushed off and enough layers have been applied to my satisfaction, the ugliness starts - rust, dirt, grime, oil, exhaust, diesel fuel.

   

My guide for prototypical weathering is Charlie's photo of this thing's running mate, 953 that appears earlier in this thread.