BRINGING UP THE REAR.

An exercise in brake van weathering. 

It's been a while since I last worked on a brake van, so I decided to try something different with this Bachmann model. The aim was to replicate the subtle tonal shifts between the various planks, as seen on the real things in the 1970s/80s. Visible beneath the layers of accumulated grime, there was usually the odd replacement plank in a different colour, plus rust patches on the steel-clad lookout pod and handrails, dirty windows and a distinctive texture to the surface of the chassis frames.

For an evening's work, it's turned out pretty well. As it was something of an experiment, the other side of the van is still in it's immaculate factory finish, which will have to be treated and blended with the rest of the vehicle in due course. 

The various techniques that I've employed will be explained in a book that I'm currently working on. Details will appear here in time...