A quick and simple method to get rid of the plastic new freight car look is to spray a light coat of Dullcoat.  This will take away the 'toy' train look of your layout.  If you don't have any Testor's Dullcoat you can use any Matte Finish spray to get the same results.  Just a simple spray to each side and let dry.  This can be done to any plastic kits also.

Hopper Weathering Clinic
By Bill Mock
December 2009

Here is the first stages of weathering of my new BN [ ... ]

So there I was..had my speeder all painted and glass in the window and everything dull coated and figure inside and..hunky-dory.
I went to LHS becasue [ ... ]

     Since NOBODY will be reading this I guess I can vent here. 

     Same thing other people have griped about in [ ... ]