Slow Weathering and the Vital Few

In my last post, I introduced slow weathering, a deliberate and consistent approach to tackle complex weathering projects and achieve high-level results. However, in that discussion I failed to address the major (and obvious) issue with the approach: its slow! Compared to other weathering approaches, except procrastination or avoidance, slow weathering is not very productive. And so, for modeler’s seeking to weather an entire fleet of rolling stock and locomotives and achieve high-level results, the question becomes how should slow weathering be applied?

My solution to this problem draws from the Pareto Principle, or “law of the vital few.” The principle states that in many instances 80% of an outcome can be attributed to just 20% of the causes. Or, stated more broadly, most of an outcome can be attributed to a few “vital” contributors. Applying the principle to model railroading, it follows that just around 20% of weathered models will contribute to 80% of the visual perception of a highly detailed and realistically weathered fleet.

It may seem that applying the Pareto Principle to model railroading is a stretch. The principle describes an economic theory, and it is not clear if it applies to art and visual perception. Regardless of an imperfect fit, the principle contains the important lesson of project selection and prioritization: Allow a few "showcase" models do the heavy lifting for the desired result of the whole.  

Let’s consider a case study:

A typical train on my layout consists of 20 cars and two locomotives. Setting a discussion of locomotives aside for now, under the Pareto Principle, only 20% of the cars (4) will contribute to a vast majority of an operator’s perception of a realistically weathered and detailed train.

This means, that when I sit down at the bench to weather a train of cars, I can focus on devoting special attention and adopt a slow weathering approach to a small number of cars in the train to achieve most of the desired visual outcome. The remaining cars in the train, the other 16, can be weathered with a more efficient “fleet” weathering approach. Granted, these cars still contribute to the overall outcome and so it is important that they are weathered skillfully and adequately support the vital few heavy lifters.

Locomotives, as I alluded above, are a special case. On model railroads, locomotives tend to have a greater impact on the perception of the overall quality of the fleet than other equipment. Therefore, I consider any locomotive to be part of the vital few and adopt a slow weathering approach when weathering and detailing locomotive projects.  

So, if you find yourself stuck at the bench slowly weathering your fleet of rolling stock or endlessly constructing structures for your town or city, consider applying the Pareto Principle and allow a vital few models to do the heavy lifting.

Slow Weathering

Earlier this month I completed the weathering on UP 1213, an Athearn Genesis GP39-2. The project was complex both in its scope and execution. The prototype has a very distinct appearance which reflects its decades of service on the UP. Replicating this appearance presented a significant challenge especially replicating the uniquely faded paint and lettering and grimy appearance. I knew before starting that my tried-and-true methods would only get me so far, and that to succeed in replicating the prototype I would have to try new methods and adopt a different approach. Thus, slow weathering was born.

Slow weathering is not simply “taking one’s time” or “being careful” or “working slowly.” Rather, slow weathering is the consistent and deliberate application of effort to a weathering project free from the pressures of time and efficiency. It is a craftsman’s approach that prioritizes patient deliberation over efficient production. It allows for contemplation, reflection, and adaptation through the life of the project. Slow weathering enables the development of skills and confidence. And, most importantly, it renders exceedingly complex projects more manageable and ensures better results.

Slow weathering works well for two main reasons. First, it removes the undue pressures of time and efficiency and, secondly, it allows for exceedingly complex projects to be tackled manageably.

Whether we recognize it or not, once a new project begins, we set an internal clock that starts ticking down to when we think the project should be completed. Invariably, as the internal deadline approaches, a strong temptation to take shortcuts or expedite certain processes builds. The results can be subpar. Slow weathering seeks to combat this approach by intentionally removing any emphasis on time or efficiency and instead place that emphasis on the process and steps of the weathering itself. In slow weathering a project is done when its done, not when we think it should be.

Secondly, slow weathering allows complex projects to be more manageable. As I explain in more detail below, this approach breaks projects down into approachable chunks allowing for greater focus and higher quality work over the entirety of the project.

1213 Case Study: Three principles to Slow Weathering

Research, plan, and work intentionally

Slow weathering projects require adequate reference and a plan of attack. Both are necessities of working deliberately and consistently over a long period of time. A plan helps define what needs to be done on the project in any given session and reference guides that work. Certainly, weathering can be done without a plan or reference, but without a goal and articulated process, it can be easy to skip steps, take shortcuts, and rush when the project starts to get stale.

For 1213, I collected a set of reference photos available online and after careful study of the reference, drafted a workflow plan for the project. Whenever I felt lost or unsure on what to do next or exactly what colors to use, I had guidance readily available and could quickly refocus. Additionally, when I sat down to the workbench, my plan helped me be focused in what I wanted to achieve in that given session. There is a big difference in “fading the long hood” and “fading the three leftmost panels on the long hood.” Both tasks ultimately achieve the same ends, but the latter is much more intentional and focused. This micro-level of focus is beneath the success of the slow weathering approach.

Chunk the model

Slow weathering is best when applied to overwhelmingly complex projects with high levels of detail. Trying to hand paint a graffiti covered boxcar, or, in the case of 1213, hand painting the faded numbers is a daunting and easily overwhelming task. Detailed weathering takes mental endurance, and it is often unreasonable to try an accomplish a certain step on an entire model or even just one side of the model in one sitting. In slow weathering, the answer is to focus on individual chunks, or small sections, at a time.

For example, I faded the lettering on 1213 by painting over the factory applied decals with acrylic paints. This was a time-consuming process and one I frankly wasn’t looking forward to! My solution was to only work on one letter at a time and maybe only 2 or 3 in a single sitting. In dividing the work, I found I was able to focus effectively on each letter individually and not become overwhelmed by the seemingly insurmountable prospect of painting all the letters on both sides of the model. Before I knew it, all the letters were faded.

Work consistently

Finally, slow weathering requires consistency. Because complex projects tend to require work that is extended over multiple months (or longer!), engaging with a project consistency helps maintain interest. I recommend building time into the daily routine for the project. A marathon workbench session or “binge” weathering can be an exciting prospect and fun way to spend a weekend, but it is not an effective means to tackle complex weathering projects or consistently work at a high level. Rather, the slow weathering approach encourages a consistent effort applied in shorter daily sessions (between 30 minutes and 2 hours). Limiting the length of the sessions will prevent fatigue and keep the scope of the project manageable. Working daily will help maintain interest with the project and prevent inconsistencies in color or technique that can arise when a project is left fallow for long period of time.

In weathering 1213, I set aside 30 minutes at the end of my day after dinner to work on the model. After a few weeks, sitting down at the workbench once the dishes had been put away became a habit that I didn’t have to thing too hard about. I rarely had to refer to my workflow plan to remember where I was because I maintained consistent engagement with the project. I remembered what I had worked on the night before and simply picked up where I left off.

 

Slow weathering is by no means a perfect or the only approach for weathering, but I have found success employing it. The projects that I engage with consistently and deliberately without feeling crunched for time or pressured to finish quickly are often those projects that I enjoy working on the most and am ultimately most proud of. I have done my best work adopting a slow weathering approach and will continue to utilize it into the future.  

Escaping the Shallows of Social Media

In January 2015, I published the first post on this blog commencing the Cascade Sub's public life. Since then, I have continued to post here (albeit increasingly sporadically) and have expanded my sharing to other outlets, namely Facebook and YouTube. In recent years especially, I have grown a modest following on both platforms (1.2k subscribers on YouTube and 1.1k followers on Facebook) and posted a significant number of photos and video documenting the life of the Cascade Sub. However, despite my consistent and growing use of those sites, today marks a committed return to the original blog, a turning back of the clock and a departure from “the shallows.”

           I will readily acknowledge that social media has, in theory, some incredible benefits. At no other time in history has information and individuals been so accessible. Social media has enabled the growth of many personal and group networks, hobbies like model railroading included. It is not that far-fetched to argue that hobby-related social media engagement has been a major driver in the “growth” of the hobby since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020. Certainly, my engagement with the hobby via social media has increased since then, significantly expanding my network of fellow model railroaders and their work. However, a critical question has become apparent in recent months: does increased engagement also lead to increased enjoyment of the hobby and personal fulfillment? The answer, unfortunately, is no.

I attribute my lack of enjoyment and fulfillment to two main issues with increased hobby-related social media use. First, the amount of time to sift through and consume the mountainous haystack of hobby-related information and content greatly outweighs the benefit of finding the rare insightful needle. Simply put, increased online engagement and content consumption means decreased time actually participating in the hobby. New tips and sources of inspiration are extremely valuable, and I welcome them, but when the search for them inhibits time at the workbench and I am not engaging in the actions of the hobby itself, my skills are declining alongside my satisfaction. Completing a weathering project or participating in an operating session are ultimately much more satisfying than watching someone on YouTube do the same.

Secondly, social media is not a replacement for real-world interaction and communication. Sure, I acknowledge the benefit of the ease of connection that the big platforms enable. However, access to information and the ability to connect with strangers through an online platform does not necessarily correlate with the effective sharing of ideas or forming meaningful relationships. It is possible, but usually not the norm.

For example, on Facebook, I have gotten into the habit of informally posting progress photos of current projects. The platform makes this process incredibly convenient and in a matter of minutes I can share essentially “live” progress with hundreds of people across the country and world.  Initially, interest in the newly posted photos is strong, however engagement quickly wanes after the first 24 hours of posting. Ultimately, the photos are lost in the previously mentioned haystack of online content, likely never to be seen again. Engagement on YouTube is similar with most of the views, comments, and likes occurring in the first hours in the life of the video. Simply put, posting on these platforms feeds the quick and constant consumption model inherent to their use.

More importantly, my use and engagement with these sites has developed into an unhealthy and dissatisfying habit. After posting photos to Facebook or a new video to YouTube, I compulsively monitor the public response, tracking the views, reading comments, and counting likes. I crave the immediate affirmation of my work and focus intently (consciously or not) on viewership and engagement analytics. Rather quickly, as described above, engagement in a post or video wanes, and the “high” of watching the public response subsides. And so, to feed this craving, I must post again, and again, repeating the cycle with increasingly hasty, non-curated content. Ultimately the high of receiving immediate gratification became the primary motivation for posting and ultimately progress, leading to a shallow experience of the hobby and burnout (a little dramatic, I know!).

    So, it is time for a change. I am very motivated to share my work and contribute to the model railroad community in a meaningful way, but I desperately need to drop my use of the major social media platforms to achieve this purpose. Hence my return to blogging.  

Starting today, my plan is to publish well-written, thoughtful blog posts each week on Friday afternoons. In these posts I will cover a variety of topics related to the hobby generally and also concentrate on specific projects I am working on. Through this I hope to not only share my techniques and methods, but also my sources of inspiration and guiding goals.  Ultimately, I am seeking to add some depth to the public life of the Cascade Sub, break free from the shallow sharing cycle, and find genuine fulfillment in my engagement with model railroading. I hope you come along for the ride!

See you here again next Friday. Until then, happy modeling.