What is kitbashing? Its a rather startling term that means adding to or subtracting from an existing model's superstructure. We modelers also use terms such as "superdetailing" and "weathering" (making a model appear older).

To keep our project simple, I'll explain how to achieve the appearance we want by using common automotive enamel spray paints and a liberal dusting of good old fashioned Mother Earth dirt! Aside from paint, you'll need a "junk" box full of extra parts from the locomotives and cars you have accumulated, whatever couplers you prefer, and decal or dry transfer lettering.

You might describe the style of modeling this article describes as "fantasy". That means using your imagination to make your model part of a larger mythical world. Ready to try? Let's go.

THE FANTASY BEGINS

Remove the diesel's power unit from its body. Then paint the body, cab, truck sideframes, and metal pilots as separate pieces. If you want the cab roof to be a contrasting color, wait until the cab is thoroughly dry, then mask it and paint the roof. Paint each small part individually so the color will be smooth and even. Leave the small parts on their sprue; remove them after they are dry. A couple of days later, when everything has dried, you may assemble the model and add such small hardware parts as grab irons, roof tanks, bell, headlights, and exhaust stack.

Then it will be time to make your diesel come to life; weather your model with dirt. The degree of weathering should depend on how often your crew cleans its little critter. With that in mind, add dirt to all the top surfaces of your diesel, but put less on the roof since it would blow off during operation.

Next, lightly spray just the top areas with flat brown. The idea is to let the paint mix with the dirt. When the paint dries, shake off any excess dirt. Repeat until you have achieved the effect you want. Let the model dry for at least 24 hours and apply lettering. Follow the instructions on whatever decals or dry transfers you use, spray on a clear protective lacquer such as Testor's Dullcote, and the first phase of construction is complete.

The second phase begins and ends with your imagination. Look into your "junk" box to see what is available. Almost anything goes. For example, the little diesel in the article's lead photo has an air tank on its right side. That tank is actually the body of an N scale short tank car!

I have included Model Die Casting's G5430 diesel detail set in the parts list. You may use some or all of its components to superdetail your locomotive.

Here's another suggestion: Cut three or four inches from a roll of household solder. Coil the solder around nearly any round object, remove it, and glue the coil to the engine's running boards or, as the locomotive in the photos, around the exhaust stack.

ROLLING STOCK

The photos show my locomotive pulling some rather unusual rolling stock. They are MDC's unpowered rail speeder trailer cars. They seem to integrate so naturally with the Big Hustler, you would probably suspect a string of such cars with their link-and-pin couplers were actually part of a train set. The reason for the family resemblance is the cast metal pilot. MDC uses it on each end of the engine and the cars.

If you simply paint your MDC rail speeder trailers to match the diesel, your train will come to life. But for more fun, also try kitbashing your rolling stock. Study the photos for ideas.

I happen to love those little speeders so, when I needed some "quickie" rolling stock for a local train show, I cranked out the gondola and caboose using HO, N, and large scale odds and ends from my scrapbox. The gondola sides, including the stakes, came from a pair of MDC's HO scale 30 foot flatcar kits (#1450). All I used were the sides. I trimmed them to fit, painted them, and glued them in place. Simple.

The caboose was another story and nothing I would advise a first time modeler to try. But, for the sake of our fantasy, I'll explain my basic philosophy: While I work, I refer to no prototype photos or dimensions. I just develop a "feel" for how the finished model should look. That is not to say you should be unaware of the real railroad world. You should. In fact over the years, I have collected enough information about actual railroads to fill a three bedroom house! But, since my idea was to represent a Hawaiian sugar cane car from around 1940, I tried to build something "airy" and light. I also wanted a typical caboose cupola to define the end of my train very clearly. And (why not?) I wanted pull-down side curtains in case of rain!

One thing I have learned about large scale model railroading is to make everything strong. So I used coat hanger wire for the caboose's upright supports. The main roof consists of a pair of MDC HO scale caboose roofs; I glued them together lengthwise. The cupola roof is a third HO scale caboose roof. The roofwalk and end ladder came from my spare parts box.

Finish the rolling stock with paint and lettering to reflect the appearance of your Big Hustler. Learn to spray in light sweeps, 12 to 15 inches away from the model. Apply several light coats; wait until the "shine" has disappeared before going back. Spray at about a 45 degree angle across your work area and never spray the paint directly at an object you are painting. Why? The paint will "blob" and ruin the model's surface. Finally, be sure to turn the model after each application of paint.

I have deliberately tried to avoid writing a "step-by-step" article. The idea has been to encourage you to use your imagination and to experiment. Once you have tried your first kitbash, you'll see how easy it actually is, gain confidence and maybe, someday, write an article yourself.

BIG HUSTLER DETAIL PARTS LIST

G2110 Undecorated MDC Big Hustler powered diesel kit $59.98 ea.
G5430 Undecorated MDC Big Hustler diesel parts $10.00 ea.
G2021 Undecorated MDC unpowered rail speeder trailer $24.98 ea.
1450 Undecorated MDC HO scale 30 foot flatcar kit
(2 required). Use to construct gondola sides. $4.75 ea.
34004 MDC HO scale 34 foot caboose roof, curved
(3 required). Use to build caboose roof. $1.50 ea.
8460 Undecorated MDC N scale "shorty" tank car kit.
Use to make air tank on diesel. $4.95 ea.