supagav
USA standard gauge in the late 1960's, in 1:29th.
Hi,
Another quick update...
On the home straight at last! After getting a couple of coats of matt varnish on over all the decals it was finally time to start weathering the loco. I`m trying to follow some original photos of #6706 in the late 60`s from photos in books as well as online. The prototype was finally retired from service in `72, so in these shots from around 1968 it was far from pristine! Here is a quick picture again to remind you of what I`m talking about:
![southern6706atcincyohapril66.jpg southern6706atcincyohapril66.jpg](https://cdn.gscalecentral.net/2015/03/62203_8f7fe730f23405483bd38580ae89cb4e_thumb.jpg)
The masking tape over the windows is to simulate the sweep of the wipers on the two windshields. (Hopefully!) When they are removed I should be left with two semi-circles to show represent the areas that the wipers would have kept clean:
![weathering1.jpg weathering1.jpg](https://cdn.gscalecentral.net/2015/03/62201_35329bb025a659028ee44bb7cd930522_thumb.jpg)
![weathering1-2.jpg weathering1-2.jpg](https://cdn.gscalecentral.net/2015/03/62202_a5f3d88dfc2d7557c649d6ead6a5ddff_thumb.jpg)
I also decided to redo the number board decals. Originally I had imagined that these would be white numbers over a black background. As you can see though from the photo above, they have quite an old-time look to them, where the background was black but the numbers were left clear to the let the light shine through. I did the same on mine, with just a back background and clear lettering. When you switch the number boards on (DCC function f3 on this loco controls the number boards and the cab light), you get a similar effect as there is a warm white LED located just behind each number.
Thanks again for keeping up with progress!
Best wishes,
G
Another quick update...
On the home straight at last! After getting a couple of coats of matt varnish on over all the decals it was finally time to start weathering the loco. I`m trying to follow some original photos of #6706 in the late 60`s from photos in books as well as online. The prototype was finally retired from service in `72, so in these shots from around 1968 it was far from pristine! Here is a quick picture again to remind you of what I`m talking about:
![southern6706atcincyohapril66.jpg southern6706atcincyohapril66.jpg](https://cdn.gscalecentral.net/2015/03/62203_8f7fe730f23405483bd38580ae89cb4e_thumb.jpg)
The masking tape over the windows is to simulate the sweep of the wipers on the two windshields. (Hopefully!) When they are removed I should be left with two semi-circles to show represent the areas that the wipers would have kept clean:
![weathering1.jpg weathering1.jpg](https://cdn.gscalecentral.net/2015/03/62201_35329bb025a659028ee44bb7cd930522_thumb.jpg)
![weathering1-2.jpg weathering1-2.jpg](https://cdn.gscalecentral.net/2015/03/62202_a5f3d88dfc2d7557c649d6ead6a5ddff_thumb.jpg)
I also decided to redo the number board decals. Originally I had imagined that these would be white numbers over a black background. As you can see though from the photo above, they have quite an old-time look to them, where the background was black but the numbers were left clear to the let the light shine through. I did the same on mine, with just a back background and clear lettering. When you switch the number boards on (DCC function f3 on this loco controls the number boards and the cab light), you get a similar effect as there is a warm white LED located just behind each number.
Thanks again for keeping up with progress!
Best wishes,
G