09-01-2026, 08:35 AM
Welcome back to Jack on Tracks and another episode of the Back Shop! In this installment of the Santa Fe F-Unit project, we're moving beyond the DCC and sound installation and diving into the fine details that really bring these locomotives to life.
Today, we weather and detail the trucks using a combination of airbrushed metallic finishes, washes, pigments, and weathering powders to recreate the worn appearance of prototype Santa Fe locomotives. I also compare different pigment fixers from AK Interactive and Vallejo to see how they perform on model railroad projects.
Along the way, we'll install brake details, discuss upcoming grab iron and handrail upgrades, and take a closer look at how these Santa Fe units are coming together as a matched set
Today, we weather and detail the trucks using a combination of airbrushed metallic finishes, washes, pigments, and weathering powders to recreate the worn appearance of prototype Santa Fe locomotives. I also compare different pigment fixers from AK Interactive and Vallejo to see how they perform on model railroad projects.
Along the way, we'll install brake details, discuss upcoming grab iron and handrail upgrades, and take a closer look at how these Santa Fe units are coming together as a matched set