What are your thoughts on the newer MTL brown trucks/wheels/couplers versus the black? I know Atlas combines the blackish trucks and couplers with the brown wheels, but was wondering if black or brown is more prototypical or better for modeling. In the past, I have painted the disk of my black, low profile wheels with a dark brown. Really does a good job of removing the plastic sheen. Also, I have purchased a few Atlas low pro wheels for MTL trucks. They look larger in scale, but was wondering if this helps eliminate picking of points. Any thoughts on this?
I don't like the MTL brown color at all. I paint and weather all trucks and wheels regardless of color; otherwise, I prefer MTL black.
The colors I see most often is a weathered grayish brown. I have tried to replicate this color using Ceramcote acryllic paints but have not yet developed a good match.
Bernie Kempinski and Marty McGuirk were on ModelRailCast Show #44 (google it for info) and mentioned that modern car wheel faces should be rusty because they can't be painted due to ICC regulations (paint could hide stress/fractures/etc.) - but pre-that they were painted black. Same for couplers, etc. - I'd suggest a dark grey for transition era and dark brown for more modern.
I prefer black trucks over the brown MT has chosen. I 'll paint and weather the trucks anyways. As for wheel sets, I use metal wheel sets which in turn do get weathered as well.
I prefer black trucks with brown wheels. (Or Fox Valley Wheels.) It's a matter of opinion. If you want your trucks and wheels to truly look realistic, you have to paint them, I think everyone agrees on that.
I prefer the brown wheels. They look more realistic to me. I have replaced the wheels on all my cars with brown low profile, about 3000 cars
I paint the side frames grimy black and leave the wheels unpainted. I do have a few MT "western" box cars (SP,ATSF)that I kept the side frames brown on for variety and I like the look, but wouldn't want all my cars in the brown. "I have replaced the wheels on all my cars with brown low profile, about 3000 cars." Yikes! I replaced the wheels on all my cars with metal low profiles. That's about 140. I guess I'll stop whining
When I first heard MT was doing the brown trucks and wheels I was excited, then I googled a picture and I have to say black looks better. I have to admit though I've never seen them in person. I've recently done a few trucks and wheels with Rustoleum rusty primer. I kinda like how they came out...especially the wheels. Not so much the trucks. Anyway I think if I airbrush a light coat of grimy black on everything I'll like it a bit more...also I think it will create some variety. I think variety is the key, no matter what color or technique you use.
My cars go in one at a time and get some degree of werathering with Bragdon weathering powders. That way the trucks look more realistic IMO, of course I spray everything with dullcoat to seal it, so when touched the weathering dosent vanish and leave a big shiny scuff or finger print.
I like the brown but will still paint. Here is a shot taken after a very wet few days with all dirt washed off and only rust remaining.
