We want to make preparing your train as easy as possible for you. There are 2 artists that have completed their trains early and important tips that they recommend are listed on the following page.

We understand that some artists may not need to do as much prep work to their trains as others. Some artists may want their trains smooth with all of the knots filled in while others may prefer a rougher surface area.

The trains have been professionally primed with an exterior oil-based primer. This will give the train a good base coat. You, the artist, may want to sand the train and put another coat on if you wish. With the research we have done any material can be put on top of oil-based primer. If you feel more comfortable working with latex you may put a coat of latex primer on the train as well. However, the bottom of your train was not primed. Please apply a coat of exterior oil-based primer on the bottom of your train before you paint it. Sorry for the inconvenience.

To fill in holes or knots plaster paris or sheetrock putty is a good solution. Just remember to prime over the spots you use these materials on.

While researching other street art projects we found that artists should avoid painting their train with exterior house paint. If this type of paint is used the top finishing coat cannot be applied.

Please submit to the Partnership a sample piece of wood (which will be given to you when you pick up your train) with the type of paint or material you will be using on your train so that we can test the finishing clear coat to make sure it will adhere properly to your finished train. When submitting the wood sample please also submit your name and the materials used on a piece of paper. If the type of clear coat does not adhere properly it will give us sufficient time to find another solution. Please submit this sample to The Downtown Rutland Partnership at 103 Wales Street by Wednesday, February 15.

All artists who will be doing trains can meet for a question and answer session at 12:00 noon at the Chaffee Art Center on the third (3rd) Wednesday of January, February, and March. At these sessions, artists can ask questions as well as share what they have learned....and have fun in the process. Bring a bag lunch and your own drink and you can get lunch out of the way at the same time.

May your creative experience be satisfying and fun for you!!! If you need creative input or have a question that cannot wait for one of the 3rd Wednesday meetings, please call or email the Partnership 802-773-9380 or info@rutlanddowntown.com. ALL BOARD!!!

Please note: Your completed train is due back to the opera house on Merchants Row by March 31st between 10 am and 5:00 pm. After your train is completed (before the clear coat is applied) Michael Divoll of Michael’s Toys will be signing the trains in a place where it does not interfere with your design.

Please see following page for artists tips.

Ideas/Suggestions for Preparing Wooden Trains
(From the experience of artists who received their trains early and learned a great deal.)

The following materials were used by two people who have already prepped their trains. You do not need not use these particular materials, it is just a guide if you are unsure where to begin.
• Rasp
• Sander
• Bin shellac to seal knots
• Bull's Eye 1 2 3 water based interior and exterior
• Primer sealer and stain killer (sticks to all surfaces without sanding, dries in one hour, use with any topcoat )
• Carpenter's wood filler, extra strength, weather resistant, Interior and exterior
• Economy acrylic polymer (acrylic paint) - excellent brand - BLICKRYLIC
• To put on primer and paint - rollers, paint brushes, sponge brushes ( sponge brushes are highly recommended with acrylic
paint above - " yogurt like consistency, does not run, makes an edge, fills in, has satiny sheen", if put on with sponge brush)
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Getting the train ready for the artwork is probably as important as doing the design/image. If cracks are filled in, they will not appear as black lines in the finished product. Marks or crevices that might interfere with the viewing of the train need to be taken care of.

Lastly, as you work, it is probably a good idea to view the train from different angles and from a distance so that the train as viewed from any point seems to be a professionally done, well crafted work of art.