Have you ever wondered how old-time scale model engineers manage to get their trains to look so much like their real-life counterparts? It’s not always as complicated as you might think. Anyone can learn how to get that weathered like the most seasoned and weathered model train owners. All it takes is some patience, the right materials, and a little know-how and you'll be off and running in a whole new style.

Short Answer

If you want to make your models look as real as possible, you're going to want to add some weathering to them. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, most of them involving paints, putties, and some simple tools that are easy to find and inexpensive to purchase. Read on to learn which techniques are right for your particular setup and what tools you'll need to make your trains look like they've seen some action.

About the Weathering Technique - What is Weathering?

Weathering is the way that professional model train engineers realistically simulate the effects of weather on a model. When you picture a real train running on any track in the world, it probably doesn't look shiny and new like it came fresh from the factory. It's likely been in service for years already, seeing as locomotives are built to last, and thus will have been exposed to all kinds of conditions. Simply put, weathering is used to give model trains the appearance of having been exposed to the same real-life weather that their full-scale counterparts are exposed out in the wild. Weathering is used to create realistic models worthy of being filmed, photographed, or simply enjoyed by the discerning hobbyist with their friends and family.

Where To Get Weathering Products

You'll likely be able to find all the appropriate putty and tools for your set and locomotives at the local hobby store. For those who don't happen to have a local hobby store, it's easy to find everything you need and more by searching online.

First Steps to Begin Weathering Your Model Trains and Dioramas

Before you do anything to your beloved models that you've been accruing over the course of a lifetime, make sure that you're working with the right type of trains first. A factory-finished model is the only type of train, cart, or scenery piece that you'll even want to consider working on. Pay careful attention to any wood siding pieces in your model railroad kit as these take their own particular type of weathering techniques. Once you've looked over all your pieces and taken their material and finish into account, the first thing you'll want to do to give your set a more realistic, authentic, and rugged appearance is to get rid of that glossy shine sharp coat that comes with a factory finish. This can be achieved with a variety of paints, finishes, and brushing techniques. A dilute matte medium, commonly known as Mod Podge and widely available at any craft store, is usually ideal for this process. Matte finish acrylic sprays like Dull Coat or Testor's Paints are some of the other favorites among hobbyists.

Adding Bare Metal Effects

When you want to create the effect that the paint of an engine has naturally worn off, you'll want to use one of the techniques for creating the illusion of exposed metal. The places where this bare metal will be showing through the most are the areas that have taken the greatest level of wear. It's a good idea to start by looking at pictures of real trains to see the areas that actually get worn away the fastest. What you see might surprise you, but it's important to follow what's real to make your models look as realistic as possible. Graphite is still generally the best way to simulate the look and texture of bare metal. It's important to remember to save this step for last, after all the painting is completely dry. Graphite works perfectly to get into raised and tight areas that would be otherwise difficult to shade in nicely and discerningly, creating the most realistic effects on things like bolts and wheels.

Weathering Tanks and Military Vehicles

As you could probably guess, the types of vehicles used for war and other military purposes receive a higher amount of wear and weather than the average locomotive. If you follow these simple steps below, you can create an authentic weathered finish that looks like it's seen its fair share of battle - and is ready for another.

Adding Rust to Your Model Trains

If you're wondering how professional sets manage to achieve the magnificent level of depth that sets them apart from the amateurs, the answer is often in the rusting. With just a bit of simple rusting techniques that can be easily applied to your paintwork, you too can give your models this lifelike nature. Although it might sound nonreflexive, the best places to apply rust to your vehicles and scenery are the places that aren't easily visible. This follows the realistic way that rust develops. Start by adding a light layer of rust red with your soft brush, and follow that with streaks of a slightly darker red over the top before the first layer fully dries. Rusting is best done in the shade so that you can clearly see what you're doing.

Weathering Train Tracks

The goal with both tracks and tires is to make them look like actual metal and rubber that's experienced erosion, and not that they're just painted to look that way. You can use the same rusting techniques on these parts of the train as well. Many model engineers like using cork roadbed for a number of purposes. This not only helps to raise your tracks and give them a more realistic height, but it also dampens the sound of your locomotives. Once your tracks are up a little higher, you'll have more track to work with as you brush and streak them into a more rusted and weathered state.

General Wear and Tear

In many cases, you'll just want to simulate the general effects of an engine clunking along the track for years. To simulate this type of erosion, pale yellow paint is going to be your best friend. Using a stiff-bristled brush, apply the paint to any area you think would have been worn down over time. Again, looking at pictures of real trains is extremely helpful, and you can always look at what other model engineers have done to their trains. When you're applying the paint for wear and tear, make sure to vary the pressure and intensity that you use. Just as things don't happen in uniform patterns in nature, you'll want your weathering to look sloppy and a bit random to make it realistic. The great news is if you break something along the way or tear a decal, this is one of those times where you can use it to your advantage.

Washes

In the cases where you want to create a translucent effect, washes are an important material to become familiar with. This is simply a diluted layer of paint that can be deposited into recesses. The end result is something that you can slightly see through, perfect for a number of weathering effects. If you want to take your wash to its greatest potential, you can give it a good dry brush treatment. Many hobbyists also like to use powders or pigments, and it really comes down to your own personal preference. When using either of these materials, you start by applying the powder or pigment to your application tool and use a gentle, circular motion to apply it to the desired parts of your models. When separating the model from the chassis, it's a good idea to wear a mask. Before beginning this process, ensure that every part of your model is impeccably clean. It's hard to make a stray hair or dead bug look like it's actually part of your weathering effect. You can use a mild detergent to give your train a nice bath and make sure every part is fully ready for the weathering treatment.

Add Mud or Dust

At your local hobby store or online, find some dark earth-colored paints of your choosing. This can mean a variety of colors since earth comes in a variety of different materials and shades. Once you've decided exactly what kind of dirt your engines will be dirty with, decide which areas you're going to apply the mud or dust to. Under the track guards and around the front of the hull are two areas you'll definitely want to cover. Once you've finished your first coat, ensure that it dries fully by allowing it to sit overnight. For the second coat, put a lighter earth tone over top of the darker mode, varying the patterns and intensity. Try to consider exactly how real mud would splatter and where the real dust would cling.

Dry Brushing

When working with raised surfaces on your trains, you'll want to turn to your dry brushing techniques. This is perfect for highlighting anything that's supposed to stand out and pop on your engines and scenery. When shopping for paints, make sure you look for the ones labeled "weathering paints," as these are ideal for dry brushing. Although you'll be somewhat limited in your ability to create a fading effect, this is still a perfectly viably way to bring out those raised areas, especially for a beginner. Start by wiping your brush and ensuring that it truly is completely dry. You can use a dowel or any other piece of wood as your test piece before you go to work on your locomotive. When brushing, perform even strokes and remember to be patient. It might not look like anything is happening, but you'll slowly start to see results the more you do it.

Airbrushing

This is another excellent way to produce a variety of realistic weathering effects. To do it, you don't want to use the old Blo Pens that they used to sell in the infomercials. With a professional quality compressor and airbrush, you can really feel and see the difference in what you can produce. One thing you definitely need if you're planning to airbrush is a good place to spray. It's very easy to ruin an entire room with an airbrush kit - or the side of a garage. Pay attention to the direction of the wind and how close your neighbor's car is and you'll be fine. The great thing about airbrushing is you don't even need a special type of paint. With any model railway weathering paint, simply thin it and use it as you would with any other airbrushing paint.

Tracks and Tires

To give all tires the simulated effect of realistic rubber, use a variety of gray shades. It helps to take a step back and look from a distance to see what needs to be added and where. It's important to remember that tires definitely wear out over time, so if your simulated rubber is looking impeccable, it might seem out of place compared to the rest of your weathering effects. With the tracks, decide how rusted you want to make them and be consistent. While there might be some areas that will experience more weathering than others, your setup will look a little disproportionate if all of the rust is concentrated in one area alone.

FAQ Section

How do you weather model railway wagons?

As with locomotives and scenery, decide how rusted or eroded you want your vehicles to be. Ensure consistency but give everything a natural feel using a combination of rusting and general wear and tear.

How do you clean old model train tracks?

Similar to cleaning the locomotive, tracks can be easily cleaned with a mild detergent. You can use a microfiber towel or professional cleaning pad to ensure the entirety of the track's surface is covered. For the hard to reach areas, it might be necessary to use a small brush, for which a toothbrush can be ideal, although plenty of professional equipment is available for the discerning model engineer.

About Innovative Hobby Supply

Innovative Hobby Supply is dedicated to providing the hobbyist with a superior line of products that perform better than competitive products, provide customers with greater value, or provide solutions where none existed before. Click here to learn more about all our innovative products. Also check out our shop which carries hundreds of unique hobby products you won't find anywhere else. All made right here locally in the USA.