Weathering BR 81 DB
Weathering Steam locomotive BR 81 with Märklin number 36320.10
The locomotive comes from a starter set 29852 and was never sold separately. It is a special edition with a different color scheme, namely green sides, that never existed in real life. The locomotive BR 81 was actually built in a very limited number (only 10 units). Due to the need for larger and heavier locomotives in the WWII, the other ordered locomotives were never delivered. It is remarkable that a locomotive that has only been in production in such a small number is found in so many starter sets (probably the most delivered model small shunting locomotive). The locomotive is from Era III and is made of metal. Equipped with a digital FX decoder and a powerful DC motor that drives the 4 axes. The locomotive runs very quietly and even nice and quiet at the slow shunting speed. Lighting changes with the direction of travel. The pulling power is extraordinary for such a small model, even on slopes.
To weather the locomotive after the real example, it got a complete new painting with the airbrush in black, so that the green is no longer visible and the shine and clean appearance has disappeared. Before spraying, everything that should not be covered with paint is put in liquid masking or covered with masking tape. The locomotive has also been disassembled for treatment. The housing has been carefully washed with water and dish wash detergent and dried well.
The locomotive is beautifully detailed, which unfortunately does not stand out. To deliver all details in the right color would give the locomotive a too high sales price, which is therefore always a consideration for the manufacturer. We decided to make the details in the right colors.
All paint is acrylic based and the colors used are black, brass, copper, dark red and washes in dark grey and black.
With Kristal Klear, window glass is glued into the locomotive. The window glass is made from transparent packaging material. The thickness of this material fantastic and a benefit is that is free of cost.
Soot and coal mountain are made matt with matt acrylic varnish to get a dull appearance. The buffers are treated with pigment powder with glossy acrylic varnish to get a greasy appearance. When everything is finished, there is a spray with matte acrylic varnish as protection.
