Extreme weathering on our models is sometimes criticised as being unrealistic, and to a degree I can understand why many people would say that. But, that is not always the case so long as you have a modelling situation, or photographic evidence to the contrary. Today’s site seeing looks at prototypical examples of extreme weathering.

Site 1: Railpictures.net – image by Logan Allen

In the first image by Logan Allen an ex ATSF CF7 #2627 returns to service on August 8th 2014 after being “dead-lined” for months prior, due to engine and truck issues. Click on the image for the full size photo.

To be noted in this photo are:

• Faded and worn out paint surfaces, note the mismatched colours and faded nature of all of the surfaces
• Rust patches and rain marks from the large surface rust patches under the degraded paint
• Dirt, dust and grime on the undercarriage and trucks, specific to the area (note the light brown colour of the dirt matches the dust on the unit)

Thanks to Logan Allen for allowing the use of the image.

Site 2: Railpictures.net – image by Joe Vittitoe

This photo is of former Southern Railway SW 9 (SOU 1177) as she sits in a scrap yard in Harriman, Tennessee on April 20 1988. Items of note on the locomotive:

• Rusting on the bottom of the hood doors, and lower body side nearest the photographer
• Dirt and dust picked up on the coupler face – note how the painted stripes have worn off by the abrasive nature of the stuff
• On the top of the hood there’s oil and dirt and soot, and its run down the side of the hood due to rain
• Extreme fading of the originally black paint to a dusty grey, and the same applies to the bogies and under carriage all are now a standard dusty grey

I’ve sent Joe an email from the Railpictures site asking him for permission to use the image, but have not heard from him by post time. Image is copyright Joe Vittitoe. Let me know if you have any information on the photographer. If needed I may have to take the image down if later contacted.

Site 3: Railpictures.net – Image by Ron Flanary 

Quite apart from the great rust and weathering detail in the picture there’s lots of history. L&N 2376 was new in 1941 when purchased by the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis. Then she carried the number 1, the lines first ever diesel-electric locomotive.

When that road merged into the L&N in 1957 the loco became L&N number 30. The last change for the old girl was during the late 1960s when she was re-engined with an EMD 567-C prime mover from a retired E-unit.

This photo taken in 1974 shows the EMD 567 engine shoe horned into the hood. Three years later in 1977 number the railroad retied and scrapped 2376. Here endeth the history lesson.

Onto the weathering lesson:

• Faded paint all over the body, note the different shade on the top of the loco by comparison to the sides,
• There’s roof rust here too but not so much as the RS-3 in the background (at least I’m pretty sure it’s an RS-3)
• Oil spills and dirt accumulation around the base of the cab near the walkways as well as road-grime and muck on the trucks, under-body and on the coupling faces, and finally
• Look at all the rain weathering dragging down the sides of the locomotive

Thanks go to Ron Flanary for allowing me to share the photo.

I hope that you enjoyed the photos and the weathering lessons that you can learn from them. Drop me a line in the comments if you feel so inclined. All the best and a good Friday night from a cold and rainy Ballarat.