American Freedom Train

Here's todays progress. Using the miter box and a saw, several grooves were cut into the Kato body, where the large display windows will be.

 

No decals for the locomotives, just the 26 cars of the train.

 

Next I hand scored a line between the cuts. I kept moving the blade back and forth over and over. When it was deep enough that I could bend it and snap it off, I did so.

 

First 'window' opening cut out.

 

Two down.....

 

And the last of the three.

 

Next I filed the openings to even them out and make them all as straight as possible.

 

After that I test fitted the roof. Looks good so far.

 

I also test fitted the floor. I am doing this to see how much I need to trim off each. (Tabs, etc.)

 

Next I measured and made a templet out of paper. I will lay this on a piece of thin styrene, trace, and then cut out.

 

After I cut out the styrene sides, I will overlay on the Kato body like this and glue in place.

 

Alright.....time to do the other one now.

 

And the car bodies of both display cars are now done.

 

Another look....

 

Thanks Richie!
I don't have the styrene sides on or the middle supports, but here is a test fit of the exhibits in the display cars.

 

First display car side traced in pencil on the styrene sheet.

 

After tracing I used a ruler and made sure the traced lines were straight, then cut out with scissors.

 

First side cut out.