Strategies for Customizing an Athearn C&NW Hopper
Take this situation into account. You have a purchased a
number. of freight cars and two of them end up with the same road number. Even
more troublesome your friends join you to run trains and their car numbers
match yours! This is a symptom of the times where more ready to roll is not
only accessible but has become how all the new "kits" come to market.
Take this situation into account. You have a purchased a
number. of freight cars and two of them end up with the same road number. Even
more troublesome your friends join you to run trains and their car numbers
match yours! This is a symptom of the times where more ready to roll is not
only accessible but has become how all the new "kits" come to market.
Fortunately renumbering and customizing the lettering on
ready to roll items is much easier then starting completely from scratch from
an undecorated model. With these easy
steps you can have your fleet customized to match the real thing. I settled on this car as the prototype for the sample model. CNW 178635, Image from Fallen Flags
1. Follow the procedures from the March 2009 newsletter to remove the lettering from the Athearn RTR hopper.
2. Unscrew and remove the trucks and couplers and set aside
in a box for reassembly.
3. - Advanced Step -
If you decide to fade the overall color, this is a good time to do that. For
the C&NW yellow cars, use Model Masters Light Ivory (Bottle - #2709, Spray
- #1963) An airbrush will yield more controlled results. If an airbrush is
unavailable, practice with a spray can before applying to desired model.
4. Spray entire model with Testors Model Masters High/Ultra
Gloss Finish (Bottle - #52720 Spray - #28139). Let dry for length specified by
Testors
5. Apply decals from set #87-1299 use #60-1299 for N-scale.
Use the directions indicated with both the application of Micro-Sol and
Micro-Set. Reference the Microscale FAQ "Basic Instructions for the Application of Microscale Waterslide Decals"
- Advanced Step - Matching
the LD WT and LT WT marks of your car is possible by using the small 3" numbers
in the middle right next to the yellow reporting marks on the Microscale #87/60-1299 decal sheet.
6. Let model set over night to give ample evaporation time.
7. Coat final finish with Testors Dull Cote (Bottle - #1260, Spray - #1160). Again
airbrushing the Dull Cote will yield finer results.
8. - Advanced Step - Final weathering
application. Water colors and chalks work well to duplicate the rust marks etc.
found on the real car. Reference the actual photos to best replicate the
appearance of mother nature.
9. Painting trucks, wheels, and couplers will enhance the
overall appearance of the entire model. -
Advanced Step - For the display model Athearn Genesis 100-ton roller
bearing trucks (#4599), Kadee Couplers (#119) were used opposed to the stock
RTR couplers and trucks for enhanced operation and appearance.
10. - Advanced Step - Adding extra details helps too! Detail
Associates Coupler Cut Bar (#6215) and High Tech Details Air Hose (#6036) for
the final touches.
Photo Courtesey of Chris Palomarez
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