The “press release” on the Mig website states, “In this special issue of The Weathering Magazine, we present a collection of the best articles about weathering techniques for model trains available. Through each inspiring page of 14 excellent chapters, you will learn how to use weathering products with the guidance of some of the world’s best railway modelers. Create all kinds of wear and dirt effects on locomotives of all eras, as well as on freight cars, coaches, tank cars, and more.

Upon turning through the pages of this book, you will quickly realize how entertaining and easy transforming your stock train models into hyper-realistic wonders is. You can bring any rail subject to life by applying any type of weathering effect you choose including rust, chipping, streaking, dust, accumulated dirt, soot, fuel stains, and much more, you'll even learn how paint the most intricate graffiti!”

The press release is accurate in its description of this excellent guide to weathering train gear.

Before looking at the list of “chapters” (see below) it is important to note that those chapters provide step-by-step text that describes the techniques used to weather, apply “wear”, add stain, rust damage, and add graffiti to railroad stock. A thorough description of the “hands-on” techniques are accompanied by a series of excellent photographs of those techniques. The book does not focus solely on Mig products, although those products are clearly quite excellent, but it also suggests the use of other products of high quality.

In short, this book is an excellent guide to the various techniques that can be used to finish model railroad rolling stock that represents brand new gear to heavily weathered and abandoned gear. In fact, the techniques demonstrated in this book can just as easily apply to Gunpla, automotive subjects, armor kits, aircraft kits, and to the creation of dioramas.

The fourteen “chapters” mention in the press release are

• Tank Zagkk AGIP- a tank car: weathering from weather conditions and sunlight cause rusting, dust accumulation, and streaking caused by chemicals being loaded and transported.
• A Steam-Engine graveyard – a diorama of several steam engines awaiting their turn at the cutting torch. The technique demonstrated simulates massive amounts of rush and extreme decay of the engine.
• Penn Central Box car – demonstrating a few simple techniques for fading from the “Factory” finish of the box car and adding a small amount of rust.
• The D-345 on the Italian rail is in poor condition, very dirty, showing graffiti and heavily worn paint. The demonstration uses a sponge to control the amount of “rust” being applied.
• Freight Car – This freight car receives a rusty base coat and paint chipping on the “metal” surfaces of the freight car.
• Oil Tank weathering – This demonstration reveals the techniques used to simulate fuel and oil spills down the rounded sides of the tank car.
• An industrial locomotive gets “muddy”. In this demonstration the engine gets several coats of “mud” using water soluble paints. An emphasis on the length of time required to make this “mud work” permanent is made since the paint can easily be reactivated weeks/months after the application of the original coat.
• Modeling a WWII German WR360 Locomotive. This demonstration starts with a basic black finish which then receives a basic camouflage pattern. The engine is then “faded” to simulate weathering and wear.
• Weathering an American box car. This demonstration can be used to weather any metal-skinned box car by dry brushing, chipping, and sponging.
• Br39-Before and After- How to weather a steam engine and tender without dismantling the engine. This demo begins with an application of alcohol and acrylic paint to “fade” the paint on the engine. Dust and dirt effects are added.
• Rail Art- We’ve enjoyed the view of a train rolling slowly across a railroad crossing while we sit in our vehicles, waiting patiently for the final car on the train to clear the crossing. And we’ll all noticed the amount of graffiti that is visible on the rolling stock. This demonstration walks the reader through the process to apply graffiti to a piece of rolling stock.
• Retired Giant is a demonstration featuring an M61 diesel engine, used on railroads in Hungary. This engine is in very worn condition with holes that have rusted through the metal skin of the engine. Streaking and airbrushing are addressed in this demonstration.
• From Toy to Model. This demonstration takes a “toy” locomotive (think diecast) and discusses the techniques used to weather it. Airbrushing, washes, and hand-painted earth and dust are covered.
• Painting a white and blue engine in a factory fresh scheme and then applying a modest amount of rust and weathering.

This publication is one in a series labeled as the “Weathering Series”. Be sure to check the Mig website for a list of books in this series. This book is highly recommended. This high rating is given due to the detailed coverage of techniques, the coverage of products used, the excellent photographs that accompany the text, and the text itself, which is very clear and concise. The price for this publication is extremely reasonable, especially considering the high quality of the book. Thanks to Mig for provided this publication to IPMS for review.