Weathering Maine Central and Conrail cabooses

Here is a project that has taken me several years. I started it before I even had an O scale layout but wanted to dip my foot into the O scale pool. The model was a MTH Maine Central #651 wide vision caboose that I had purchased at a train show. I had just finished weathering a D&H caboose and wanted to do this one, so I printed out some online reference pictures and got ready to begin. But, my wife went into labor so I set it on hold without having done a single thing. 

While Harrison was in the hospital I started a different project instead (which I will discuss in the future) and this got pushed aside until recently when I wanted something I could quickly complete. I dusted off the pictures, pulled out the model, and got to work.

I planned to completely disassemble it to remove the window glass, which for me is easier than masking it to protect it from the weathering effects. But, there were so many wires running between the trucks and the interior lights that I gave up and put it back together. So, the windows would get grungy. Based on the pictures I was using, that was prototypical.

The prototype pictures didn't show much rust or carbody damage in the early 1980s but it was filthy, and that is how I modeled it. I first gave everything a light spray of Tamiya flat finish to give the weathering some tooth, Then, I mixed a wash of raw umber oil paint and mineral spirits and went over everything with a soft 1" brush. I especially made sure to get inside the end porches. 

A few days later I went back with a smaller, stiffer brush and I focused on the ends where mud is thrown up from the wheels. I stippled on some paint and then smoothed it over with more mineral spirits. I also added more wash to the handrails, ladders, and other areas that needed it.

Next, I dabbled on some black paint anywhere that oil and grease might collect, like the grab irons and ladders. Grubby hands mean grubby cabooses. In general, I am careful to limit where I use black paint.

Focusing on the trucks, I first painted the faces of the wheels brown. Then they were drybrushed with various shades of brown and rusty orange. The couplers got the same treatment, using care not to gum them up. While those colors were out, I went over the smokejacks, brake wheels, and the underframe as well. Finally, the shiny silver axles were painted black to minimize their bulk. After that, I sealed everything with another spray of flat finish.

As I was putting that caboose away I remembered I had a similar, used Conrail MTH caboose that also needed some weathering. When I pulled it out, I was dismayed to find that the roof walks were broken. However, prototype pictures showed that by the late 1970s the real Conrail caboose had no roof walks either. Perhaps that was what the previous owner hand in mind?

I used files, chisel blades and nippers to remove any protruding spigots and then I filed in the holes left with some epoxy. A toothpick helped smooth it over and form to the contour of the roof (as best as could be done). Then, I repainted the roof black. It isn't perfect, but it is good enough.

For weathering, pictures from the 1980s showed the caboose also in good shape with little rust evidence. However, it too was filthy. So, I applied a wash of raw umber and let it dry overnight. The next day, I applied a wash of dark umber, which is a much darker color (as the name would apply). This really dirtied it up without making it look worn out. I finished it by drybrushing the smokejack to add rust highlights, as the heat from the smoke exhaust would burn off paint and then the steel would rust. 

I let both cars sit for a week to ensure all the paint had fully dried and then they were given a final coat of flat finish. I can't wait for a layout where I can actually run them!