Clean Steam?

Recently Trainmasters TV posted a segment on weathering steam locomotives.  The target locomotive chosen was a UP locomotive and the weathering was applied so as to create the impression of a well-maintained and regularly cleaned locomotive at the end of a working day: not too dirty or grimy, and definitely not rusty, with little sign of any accumulation built up over a long period of time.

This approach makes sense and fits the adage that real working steam engines get dirty, but some are kept fairly clean for the purpose of good public relations.  Another thought is like it - tourist railroads, historic societies and theme parks keep their equipment polished and clean and these locos won't show any weathering effects from oil, smoke, grease, etc. except perhaps at the end of a long day's service.

Of course there is often an exception to even these enshrined rules.  I believe I have found it, in Willits, CA.  Not to criticize in any way - this is a fine engine crewed by caring professionals - but simply to show that even locomotives on tourist lines can exhibit more than just a little running dust, I present these images:

Granted, the locomotive as a whole is pretty clean compared to one that has been in regular service hauling copper ore in Nevada, as this one did.  Both tender and cab sides are clean as is the top half of the compressor, and the white rims and trim are still white.  I hope I look this good at 101!  But the grime, dust, and even rust is there, proving once again that there is a prototype for just about anything.  If you model a tourist line or historic society railroad, don't be afraid to be a little more heavy handed with the weathering.

Labor Day Treasure Hunt

I'm catching up on blog posts, since the last few weekends have been pretty eventful and I've not really felt like blogging.  This post isn't model train related, but there is a model, of sorts included. 

Labor Day weekend my family and I traveled over to Fort Bragg to visit the flea market - a really neat market with real fleas (no commercial sales or miracle products, but antiques, handmade jewelry, old tools, etc.).  I was hunting for a box in which to build a micro layout, but alas, one was not to be found.

After lunch we went looking for a beach.  The boys and I came ready to get in the water - the boys by choice and me by necessity, but only if necessary.  That water is cold.  My wife sat under her new sun hat and didn't tan (she doesn't, as a rule).  I got to use an old friend and its new cousin; my metal detector and pinpointer. 

Here's my haul:

The coins are 2003 and 2005 pennies, badly corroded.  The nails...well, my best guess is that they came from campfires in which people burned pallet wood.  The remaining bits and bobs are just that.  The dull silvery one in the upper left is intriguing.  It gave me a good tone, like silver, but I can't tell what it is.  It is not soft and malleable like lead so who knows.

The car is a genuine Hot Wheels, made in 2015 so it hadn't been there that long.  It is a '77 Pontiac Firebird, for those of you like me who are not really "car guys".  I typically hunt with the "trash meter" off for this very reason.  Yes, you get a ton of rust but on the beach I feel like that's a good thing - better me finding a rusty nail than some kid's foot!  You also get oddball things like this car.

Next post I'll be back on track with some steamy pictures.