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What are NEM pockets on N gauge rolling stock?
Posted in: Model Railway
9th April 2024
You'll likely have come across the term "NEM pockets" when delving into the world of model railway couplers. But what...
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What is IPMS?
Posted in: Best practices
10th September 2024
IPMS stands for the International Plastic Modellers' Society, a global organisation dedicated to promoting and...
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How do I recognise a 21 pin DCC socket?
Posted in: Power and control
2nd December 2021
Model railway 21-pin decoder sockets are easy to recognise. They are usually located on top of a circuit board inside...
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What is a Parkside wagon kit?
Posted in: Kit building, Model Railway, Rolling stock
19th January 2021
Parkside wagon kits are a large range of 00 gauge plastic wagon kits from Peco. Some of the kits have been re-branded...
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How do I use a multimeter?
Posted in: Model Railway, Power and control, Fix, restore and customize
5th September 2021
With so many functions on a modern or advanced multimeter, and so many reasons why you may want to use one, it would...
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Do I need to weather models to make them appear realistic?

Weathering is an important technique in scale modelling that can greatly enhance the realism of a model. While it is not always necessary, weathering can add depth, character, and a sense of age to any model, making them look more like their real-life counterparts.

When we talk about weathering, we are referring to the process of simulating the effects of time, weather and wear and tear on a model. This can include adding dirt, dust, rust, chipping paint, fading colours, and other signs of aging and use.

By weathering their model, a modeller can create a more realistic representation of the real thing. For example, a weathered locomotive will have a more authentic appearance, with grime and dirt in the nooks and crannies, faded paint on the body, and rust on the metal parts. Similarly, weathering a building can give it a worn and weathered look, with peeling paint, cracked walls and moss or algae growing in the corners.

It's important to note that weathering is not suitable in all cases. Some models may not benefit from weathering, especially when the modeller wants to represent a brand new or well-maintained object. However, for models that are meant to represent older or heavily used objects, weathering can make a significant difference in their realism.

There are many techniques and products available for weathering models, including washes, pigments, powders, and airbrushing. These can be used to simulate different types of weathering effects, such as dirt, rust and fading paint. It is a good idea to experiment with different techniques and materials to find which ones work best for a particular subject.

In conclusion, weathering can greatly enhance the realism of most models. That said, the decision to weather is a subjective choice for the modeller which will be dependent on the type of finish they wish to achieve. It is always a good idea to research and study references of the real thing to understand how weathering affects different objects in real life.

Posted in: Painting

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