Due to the price of MT and RC auto racks I would like to upgrade my exsisting CC racks to better blend in with the MT racks I also own. I see the J-N-J and N SCale of Nevada both make etched sides but whos are better? I will also do BLMA stirups and might move the trucks. Anyways for about $12 a car I think I will get a good looking car with out spending the 30-40 for new ones. Does anyone have pics of a CC car they have up-graded like this? Kevin
I have the N Scale of Nevada sides and they are great. Unfortunately, they are not in business any more, and these are difficult to come by. I have not seen the JnJ products, so I can not comment on them. I also tossed the trucks in favor of the MT trucks an couplers. I also upgraded to the Fox Valley Model Wheels too. With a little weathering, they blend in with my MT autoracks just fine. I did not go with any Red Caboose auto racks, but I agree, at the cost point, it is less expensive to go your route with the ConCor units. Sorry, no photos as of yet. This has me to thinking, maybe I need to start getting more ConCor autoracks and start doing the same thing!
Ha! And I thought I was the only one doing this! I have so far upgraded 3 kits with many more to be done. I also lower them with the AutoRack upgrade kit from N Scale Kits (Look for ConCor Autorack upgrade kits, it's number is [NS083]) The sides I use are from JNJ, and they look great. hth Michael
Here's one that I replaced the side panels with those from JnJ When I removed the old ConCor side panels, I cut out most of the solid part that is behind each panel. I left a small lip all the way around each opening to attach the new panels to. This produced a nice see through effect. I did have to add a little weight back to the car after doing that though.
I added the N Scale (Alan Curtis) floors, MTL trucks and 89' flat car couplers and NWSL 28" wheels, but kept the OME sides. Tremendous improvement.
I bought a couple of these for CHEAP ($6 each) at a LHS' moving sale. I got one and put a FRED on one end. First and foremost you have to move the trucks, because Con-Cor put them too close to the ends. I got a couple spare trucks and cut off the bolsters and glued them to the underframe, and placed them in the correct locations, so from there I have a place to attach the trucks. I also body-mounted some 1019s. I also cut off the stirrups and plan to put replacements on. I bought a pack of BLMA stirrups but haven't had the best of luck installing them.
Unfortunately sunrise enterprise is gone. I used their autorack upgrade kit with body mount mt couplers. I used NSN etched sides as well. I found a cool dremel bit to cut out the CC side so you can see through. I used a brass strip inside for weight as well as a shelf for autos. Also Plano models makes etched sides as well. http://www.planomodelproducts.com/nautorack_scq.html I only have about 60 more to do! This was my first one so be easy on me. Stirrups need to be changed. dave t
Thing is, with the total price of the car and the aftermarket improvements, it's much cheaper to buy a Red Caboose autorack!
True. Unfortunately that may not be an option much longer. There is an ad in Railroad Model Craftsman, Nov. issue, with all Red Caboose tooling, for all scales, for sale. So, unless someone buys all of the N scale tooling, they may go the way of Rowa, Rivarossi etc.
I am going to keep it simple with mine. I will only be doing the side panals and stir-ups. When I bought them years ago I put MT's under them and I really do not want to pay an extra 8 per car plus new trucks just to move the wheel base. Because I already own the cars I figure I can do the up grade for around 12-14 per car depending on who's panals I use. Still much cheaper then a new RC or MT car. Kevin
I got rid of my CC stuff...about 50 cars. So far, I have replaced about 30 of them, mostly from ebay finds. I found one guy who was selling them for around 20 each with aftermarket metal wheels..snatched them right up..I would say to keep an eye out for used cars also...they run as well as the new ones...
They look nice Dave T. Thanks also for the link; hard to find items and definitely needed. You have a point, however if you already have the CC Autoracks and want them upgraded to match the MT & Red Caboose. It's still cheaper than replacing your CC Cars.:tb-wink: I haven't tried the Panels as yet, but did change the Flooring with the Curtis Kits and Body Mounted Couplers which helped tracking emesely. Now that I know these panels are still available I will replace the panels for the appearance.
This is how I did mine. I still need to replacee the etched panels. http://www.sdsons.org/how too's/concor.html
Gee, not everyone can make moulds But do you sell those castings? That would be a nice sideline for you!
Very nice with some new ideas! I used a different dremel bit to make cuts. The stirrups look great. Did you do anything to the brass wire? flatten it? dave t
You're kidding, right? Why did IM buy Red Caboose if only to sell the tooling? If this is true it's bad news...
I was wondering about this too. Technically I don't think IM bought RC, just entered into a partnership whereby they take on manufacturing and distribution, while RC would handle new product development. It would make sense for IM to buy the tooling, but that would probably have happened by now if they were interested. The RC auto-racks are one of the best pieces of rolling stock ever made (IMHO) so it would be a great loss if they were to languish. BTW, there is some great work on the CC racks shown in this thread! -Gary P.S. woo woo woo woo woo woo has a boatload of RC racks on sale for $25 ea.
I was surprised too. All I know is what is in the ad. page 96 RMC Nov. 2009. "Red Caboose (photo of CSX coil car) All tooling for sale Sold in scale lots N scale Lot #1 HO scale Lot #2 O scale Lot #3 Please, serious inquires only Attn: Bill McClung Stacktalk2@aol.com"
