I am getting ready to start a project I have wanted to do since I was in 4th grade and my parents took me to see the American Freedom Train in Oakland. This beautiful train has remained my all time favorite, and I plan on completing the complete 25 car train. Almost everything will have to be kitbashed to some degree, and modelers licence will definatly come into play here, but I still plan on doing it as close to the real train as possible. While the train continued on it's journey across America it was repainted several times and changes were made to its cars, so my model will represent it at sometime during it's historic trip. While I have no idea how long this may take, and I don't plan on rushing this project, I am really looking forward to it. I'll share the progress of this trains journey here, and start this thread with a picture of what I believe is the most beautiful locomotive to ever grace the rails.
One of the two display cars, #40, had a 1904 Ford behind one of the three glass display windows. There is no accurate model of this car, so here's what I mean by the kitbashing. Starting with a GHQ kit of a 1930's car, I cut and fitting to back-date it to something a little closer to a 1904 car.
Like I said, modelers licence is going to be a huge part of this project. And this car will be behind glass eventually.
And last for now, the finished N Scale AFT 1904 Ford. Carbody painted black, leather seats, white canvas top, brass headlights, wood bumpers. Probably going to touch the spokes with a fine black pen to hightlight them.
The two display cars, #40 and #41, (Which switched numbers at some time during the trip!), had some very interesting display vehicles. These will all have to be custom made or kitbashed, including a hand pumped Fire Truck donated by George Washington, the B&O Arabian steam locomotive, a moon rover, the Freedom Bell, and a large map of the trains journey. Now, to go through the parts box to see whats going to be made next.
Jerry, can I ask you a question, what does that car and the AFT have in relations to each other? Being born in 1993 I would not have any info on the AFT.
Jerry do you have a good place to get information on all of the cars and photos of the large posters that were on several of the cars? I also saw the AFT when I was young and would like to model it but I have had some trouble finding the information I needed. A year or so ago one of the other members had a post on here or the Atlas forum showing the train he made in N-scale of the AFT. Please keep us up to date and i hope you dont mind questions. Dan
You can get some info about that here: http://www.freedomtrain.org/html/aft_consist_040.htm And the rest of the train: http://www.freedomtrain.org/ According to that site the car is an 1904 oldsmoblile runabout which looks like this: http://www.motormint.com/ProductImages/fullsize/04OLDS.jpg Jason
check this thread out over in the HO section Johnny built the entire consist, and has good deccriptions of the modifications made for each car. again, while it's HO the info could really help I will also bump it to the top http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=83216&highlight=freedom+train
The automobile was inside the train in a display car, and was seen by people through large glass display windows. When I make the display cars, I will put this inside, and it will be seen through the windows.
Dan, I have a friend that worked with the AFT Foundation and will custom do sets of decals for the entire train, including the large 'posters' that were on the sides of all the cars. If you want his information, email me and I will pass it along to you.
Along with several books I have, the sites Jason posted links to is another area I go to for train info.
Rovers body is a locomotive air conditioner turned upside down. Wheels are from resin car kits. Seats are sitting on a drop seat glued to the air conditioner. Seats are made from BLMA cyclon fence material. More to add after this sets up and I can touch it without it falling part!
Yo Cuz, You realize that if this project looks good at the end(which I KNOW IT WILL), I'll be talking about you the same way I talk about other talented people I know & hate.:tb-hissyfit::tb-cool::thumbs_up:
Here's the Moon Rover 99% done. I will paint tomorrow and add the other 1% of detailing. Newly added TV Camera, and antennas finish it off.
As far as being 'scale' this is much shorter then the real one, but there is no doubt that anyone that looks at it is going to know what it is.
