The Southern letters and numbers are Champ decals.  The loco was unweathered and very glossy at that point.  The decals were then sealed with a couple of coats of Floquil flat finish before I started the weathering.

With the recent proliferation of HO scale 2-8-4's I cannot help but wonder why the Erie version was not modeled.  They had the most of any railroad, over 100.  As  they appear to have been quite a bit different than the NKP or C&O variants and would have required different tooling I suspect that it was decided not to go that route.

I airbruhed floquil flat finish with a small amount of reefer white added.  Then oversprayed with dullcoat.

I airbrushed the weathering on the loco using Floquil dust and Railroad tie brown.

On the boxcar I brushed on rust and a mud color then used a rag dipped in thinner.  When dry I sprayed a coat of dullcoat.

Bottom line is start pacticing on a cheap car or loco until you develope a technique that works for you.  I've used chalks and pastels in the past and when the desired result is achieved sealed it with dullcoat.

My Bachmann GP38-2 has the viewport.  Some GP38-2 had the older style blomberg trucks.  Overall Bachmann did not go all the way when they made this loco,  for most GP38-2's it's only half way there.

By the way the viewport is outlined only, you need to either drill it out or if you loco is painted a light enough color just paint the interior gloss black.

I also suggest that if you want a more accurate model either buy an Athearn GP38-2 or a Proto 2000 but you will have to spend a significantly greater amount of money to get one with DCC

I got this several years ago and it still runs like new.  Was undecorated so I made a couple of modifications and lettered it SOUTHERN.  It is moderately weathered as it would have been in the late 1940's

I haven't tried using oils yet but I have seen some great weathering jobs done that way.  By the way I replaced the pic of the GP38-2 that shows the weathering to better advantage.

Here's a boxcar I just weathered



And a Bachmann Gp38-2

Southern PS-4 back in the lead.   Someone must be joking when asking why the Pennsy K-4 is not on the list, since there are at least 2 on the market now.

They were experimenting with Berks in Michigan in the late 70's or early 80's.  The 2-8-4's were one of the last major classifications of steam locomotives to be built.

Don't forget to keep the Southern PS-4 on the list.

Quote from: SteamGene on December 20, 2007, 04:54:35 PM
Since when were the P2K 2-8-4s successful? 
Gene

They sold out rather fast.  I'm not referring to their pulling ability which has been addressed by the newer releases with a traction tire.  I have the P2K Nickel Plate Berk and the C&O Kanawah and I think they are the best detailed plastic HO steam locomotives ever made regardless of their pulling capacity.

Bachmann if smart could be a leader by doing a good non Pennsy 4-6-2 my preference being a Southern PS-4.  Why wait until P2K has done something before trying it?  I'm referring to the successful P2K Berks.

Any loco with very small drivers would probably do the job.

I just got this locomotive and my first impression is that Bachmann has delivered a good product for the money.  The may be some minor flaws here and there but overall it looks great.  Later I will post how I feel about it's running qualities.

After a little research I have found out a little more about 2680.  It has the low mounted headlight and Blomberg M trucks.  Had Bachmann done a little more research they would have found that GP38-2s numbered above 2703 have the high mounted headlight and some have the old style blomberg trucks.

I will probably renumber my unit