The ROCK 3.0: CPC International Cars Project Update

Last night, I started working on the CPC International cars.  I painted three Atlas Kaolin tanks yellow as well as two Delaware Valley 50' Airslide Covered Hoppers.  I need to go back and touch up the yellow paint on the airslide hoppers and two issues on a tank car.  I will then be able to mask off the top of the tank car to paint the bottom black.

Here are photos of the progress so far.

Atlas Undecorated Kaolin Tank Car

Delaware Valley Undecorated 50' Airslide Covered Hopper

I consulted with Tru-Color and they suggested the Erie Lackawanna Yellow.

I was hoping the paint would cover better on the railings.  I will need to remove those and hit them again with the air brush.

Overall, I think they look pretty good.

Side by side my tank vs. the Atlas 3-Bay Covered Hopper.

I believe it is close.  Allen mentioned it is more green in tint and I can see that now better on the laptop.  Of course, I'm color blind.  So, close enough for me.  I assume I will weather these cars which will hopefully make the paint schemes match better.

Speaking of painting, what do you guys use to hold your models when painting?

The ROCK 3.0: N Scale SD38-2

So, I have been wanting to custom paint some Chicago & Illinois Midland SD38-2s and Illinois Terminal SD39s.  I figured I would just use a Kato undecorated shell as it would be close enough for my purpose.  Both these models did not have dynamic brakes.  So, the Kato shells were ultra hard to find.

I came across this site the other day.  Big Dawg Originals has resin mold shells of an SD38-2 Non-Dynamic brake unit which would be perfect.  I purchased one to test.
http://www.bigdawgoriginals.com/collections/n-scale-shells/products/copy-of-sd38-2-with-dynamic-brake-undecorated-resin-shells-n-scale-trains-by-big-dawg-originals

Here are some photos I took of the unit.  It has some flashing to clean off.

I tested the shell on a Kato SD40-2 and it fit well with no binding of the motor.  I will purchase some Kato SD40-2 handrails and glass to complete the loco shell.

So far so good.  I think this project will be interesting and can't wait to see the completed locomotives.