TS12/RW3 SD40-2 GATX - First Reskin

[roinuj]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and to Railworks. I've tried my hand at reskinning the SD40-2 as GATX 7353 and I would like to show what I've done so far. Please feel free to comment. I do plan on sharing the reskins with the community once I'm finished.

Due to the placement of the cab number I had to alpha out the auto numbers and paint them in directly. I actually think this works for me better personally as I would like to add to my collection more individual paints with unique weathering effects and details from the real thing instead of auto numbered locomotives with all the same weathering effects.

One question I do have is I notice the TS12 SD40-2 does not seem to use the rear number boards. Is there a work around on this or something I will have to ignore?









Link to the reference image from RailPictures.net: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=125761&nseq=0

I look forward to getting involved in the community.

Regards, Don

[Samwolf]

That looks really good, I envy those with the talents to do repaints.

[shicoe30]

Wow! Looks great! Welcome to the forums, and on my repaints, I just painted on rear number boards.

[arizonachris]

I envy those with the talents to do repaints.

Same here, Sam. Heck, I envy the ones that can get a repaint to work! I haven't had much luck.

, Dan. Looks like our Mad Mike has some friendly competition!

[imnew]

Woa ! Very sharp !

[MadMike1024]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and to Railworks. I've tried my hand at reskinning the SD40-2 as GATX 7353 and I would like to show what I've done so far. Please feel free to comment. I do plan on sharing the reskins with the community once I'm finished.

Due to the placement of the cab number I had to alpha out the auto numbers and paint them in directly. I actually think this works for me better personally as I would like to add to my collection more individual paints with unique weathering effects and details from the real thing instead of auto numbered locomotives with all the same weathering effects.

One question I do have is I notice the TS12 SD40-2 does not seem to use the rear number boards. Is there a work around on this or something I will have to ignore?
[snip]
I look forward to getting involved in the community.

Regards, Don

Very nice work, we need to add to our lease fleet. I have encountered the 'number in the wrong place' thing all the time. I believe you are correct in saying it makes locos individuals when they are single numbered. I feel auto-numbers only work right on shiny new paint jobs.

Welcome aboard, we'd like to see more of your work in the future.

[Kali]

Very impressed, you got the saturation perfect which usually takes a bit of practice.

Easier trick than alphaing out every number texture is just make one blank one and edit the numbering blueprint to point all the numbers at that texture instead.

[roinuj]

Thanks everyone for the comments. Glad I'm on the right track.

I made a couple minor tweeks to the repaint.

1.) Painted the rear number boards on the back. Took a little trial and error to get it in the right spot under the gasket that is generated on the model.



2.) Changed the colour on the grab irons to white and cleaned up some sloppy masking. Another trial and error but finally figured out what was what on the texture.

3.) Adjusted the text on the logo to be more prototypical.



@Kali Thanks for the tip about the alphaing out the numbers. I'll keep it in mind for future projects.

I think its almost done. I plan on doing a number of SD40-2 GATX units with the unique weathering and details. I hope to have a small package of repaints to upload to the community in the very near future. I'll post progress photos on the different paints as I progress through them.

Thanks

Don

[Chessie8638]

Like the slight weathering job. Matches the prototype nicely. Plus that leaser scheme ain't to bad.

[ArcticCatZRT]

I have to agree with everyone this repaint is very well done and welcome to the board, I love the fact it is a leaser. I hope to see your workmanship pop up more often!

[simer4]

It's always great to have more painters on-board! Great work, and welcome!

[Kali]

I'm not sure what resolution the SD40 bumpmap is, but if the rear boards are meant to be raised somewhat it'd be a nice touch to add them to the bumpmap too.

[BNSF650]

Really nice stuff.Hope you can do some of the Ex BN Whiteface units.

[Csxgp38-2]

Really nice stuff.Hope you can do some of the Ex BN Whiteface units.

I've been working on one, have yet to get it in game. I might make a WIP topic.

[roinuj]

Another WIP. The 2nd paint for my GATX collection of GATX 7350. Its quite a dirt pig. The reference link for the inspiration is http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails. ... toID=56641. As I learned from my scratch build HO days, heavy weathering can be very tricky as you don't want to over do it. I think I got the mix pretty good.







I didn't notice it before when I initially viewed the repaints on the Fort Kent Sub, but when I tried them on the Barstow route, I did notice the brightness of the white was quite pronounced. I'm not sure if this a case of new versus old routes with RW3, but I want to make the paints look good on all routes in all light conditions. Its not very evident in these screenshots but I find in direct bright sunlight the white text, especially the large logo gets really bright. I'm playing with the alpha brightness but I don't think I can make the alpha any darker (I reduced the brightness down by -100 in Photoshop) and I find up close the texture is starting to go a little transparent. I may have to tweak the white in the texture as its presently pure white but not sure if that will change things as they are already toned down due to the weathering. Is there any suggestions on how I can tone it down a little.

Here is a screen shot in 12:00 clear skies to demonstrate my concerns. You can seen the large logo is very bright and emphasized. As well as the blue on the cleaner repaint is quite bright too. It may be because of the crappy direct light at noon hour and may not be much I can do.



@Kali, I was able to line up the number boards and keep the original gasket on the rear. The gaskets must have a bumpmap as they do have a 3 dimensional look to it. This image may not show very well but I defiantly see it in the sim.



I'll post some new paints as I work on them. I thinking I'll get 5 put together, and then release them in a pack.

Regards

Don