One of my recent kits was the Erie Power Shovel from Rio Grande Models Ltd.

I weathered it by dry-brushing with a couple of colors, starting with brown and ending with rust.  I then used my India ink and alcohol wash to color the wood and darken the rest of the model.

After watching the almost completed model stare at me for quite a while I finally dedided to complete the model.  For this model I used commercial weathering poweders in various shades from red to orange, yellow and black.  These are slightly different than using chalk as the harder you scrub them the more vividly they apear on the model.  The major reason for them being so much stronger than chalk is that they are made from ground artists pigment.

I went heavy on the weathering because I figured that equipment like this  would see a lot of use.

This was another great model from Rio Grande Models Ltd.  The Linn Truck was in use  until the 60′s mostly due to its high traction ability.  It was common to convert them into logging trucks.

I used weathering powders heavily on this truck considering the front wheel was often converted to a more modern style for better traction.  I will most likely use this as a load for a flat car.

Here is a video that was recently posted by one of the people I follow on twitter and YouTube.  He does some awesome work and does all of his own music for the background.  One of his video’s was the inspiration for my static grass applicator.
Building the Excursion Train and Coal Mine

After touching up all the details, I decided to install the signs.  I followed the instructions provided with the kit and used rubber cement to secure the signs into place.  Before the glue set I used the edge of a fingernail to push the signs into the details.

Here is the view of the other side of the building.  Using the rubber cement method worked really well on this side of the building, really giving the impression that they were painted on.

I decided to wait on the chalk weathering until I have figured out the look of the layout where it will be place.  For now this model will be stored until I get around to building the next section of the GOP.