Weathering Union Pacific #119 from Bachmann

Some time ago Bachman reissued its old models of the 4-4-0 locomotive from around the 1860’s.

The new versions feature either a decoder plug or both DCC and sound built-in as well as an open view through the cab. The old version was completely filled with extra weight to increase the pulling power of the small model.

I bought the model of the Union Pacific #119, partly because the colors appealed to me, but also since it is supposed to be a model of the locomotive present at the famous meeting in Promontory Point, Utah in May 1869.

The UP #119 is the engine to the right in this photo from the event. Unfortunately not much of the locomotive is visible in the photo, but at least the domes that can be seen look similar on the model.

The model is somewhat crude, but ready-to-run locomotive models, especially with DCC, are hard to find in this early time period.

After making sure the model ran OK on my test track, I gave it a bit of paint, some weathering and a couple of figures. Here is the results of this evenings work.

I gave it a couple of brown washes to take the shine away, followed by a very light tan drybrush to highlight the details. Then I painted the wood on the tender in more realistic colors, and finished it off with a bit of weathering powder – dark rust for the tender trucks and tan for the entire engine.

A few moulding lines on the domes also had be removed with a small file.

I am quite fond of the little locomotive, despite the lack of details. With a bit of weathering, much of the toy-like appearance disappears.

I know many will say that locomotives were much better kept in the early days of railroading than during the transition from steam to diesel and thus choose not to weather their models. I however believe that weathering is necessary to tone down the bright colors and provide the model with a bit of the dust, that even the most well-cared for locomotive would have had in real life.

What do you think?