Model Railroad Weathering: Fast, Easy, Inexpensive!

Welcome Back! Weathering and details can add so much to your models, even the least expensive brands. In this video, we use low cost items to quickly transform a budget rail car into a layout ready

First, we take thin wire, found easily in junk electronics, staples, a dress shirt collar stay, and wheel weights from the tire shop. All items where found around the house.

Next, we fashion these items into coupler cut levers, brake air hoses, brake rigging, and air lines.

Finally, using the least expensive paints from the local arts and crafts store, the entire model is weathered inside and out! This particular boxcar had a metal weight as a floor so I had to scribe and paint a "wood" boxcar floor.

A quick dusting with chalk was used on this car as well!

Use these techniques to upgrade older railcars from Athearn, Roundhouse, Tyco, Model Power, Bachmann, Etc.

Please feel free to leave any comments or questions and, as always, thanks for watching and please like, share, and subscribe!

Filmed on the Southern Pacific Burbank Branch HO Scale Switching Layout.