The type you see being shunted around small refuelling depots and left in sidings near main diesel depots. I love these sort of wagons as they are easy to do, full of character and individual touches, but more to the point they're quite quick to turnaround. I'd seen a photo on the internet a while back of a rake of 5 fuel tankers sat in in a siding and knew I'd like to recreate that in model form. It actually turned out far easier than I'd expected as I was able to purchase a set of 4 individually pre-numbered Bachmann TTA fuel wagons as part of a limited edition set (Kernow Models) They came as a weathered set too, but to be honest they looked like they had just had a quick blow over with an airbrush to make them look a little less factory fresh - still as a basis to start from, these are excellent.
All four wagons are slightly different - in addition to the numbers they also had different logos, data panels, warning signs and Hazchem panels, which all adds up to making them into individual models rather than duplicates of the same thing. A bit of extra detailing and weathering and they should really start to come alive. The final addition to the set would be a single Bachmann TTA finished in black and unbranded.
So to start with all of them had their under frames painted in Frame Dirt (Precision) and then had a Smiths 3 link instanter couplings fitted along with an air brake pipe (Shawplan) at each end. The tank walkways were also toned down a bit with a very dilute wash of frame dirt and thinners. The buffer shafts were given a coat of chrome as the OLEO buffers are always nice and shiney - starting to look better already!
Next each tank was washed over with a very thin mix of frame dirt and black and whilst wet a thinner soaked cotton bud was drawn down the side to simulate dirt/water/fuel run off. This was repeated for each side and both ends and then left to dry. Finally a good helping of black weathering powder (MIG) was dusted down the side to simulate where the fuel overspill had stained the tank. This was carried on to the underframe too.
After looking at the photographs, the only thing I would add is probably a little more staining to the grey tank sides - it is there, but probably too subtle for the camera to pick it up. I'll leave it for a few days then go back to it with fresh eyes and take a view on it then.
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