New cars on the CBAM&J

f2shooter Sep 29, 2014

  1. f2shooter

    f2shooter TrainBoard Member

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    Morning all,

    Sure has been quiet around here lately. I guess it's been as hot everywhere else as it was here. I've been staying in the shop and not getting much done on the outdoor layout. Still, I have a couple of cars to show you. I bought these two earlier this year at the convention in Tampa. Got 'em for a very good price, just couldn't leave them there. They fit perfectly into one of my concepts for an excursion train. After I got home I saw an article in Garden Railways about making a conversion to this exact car that was perfect for my application and I couldn't resist. It involves a modest amount of bashing and took a total of maybe 5 hours. I removed the windows and cut out the window frames leaving every third frame in place. I added some styrene strips to cover the cut areas and painted it in sections. I used Ace rattlecans for the silver roof and purple body and added detail with Model Master colors. For the record, these two paints are compatible with each other. I added some more detail on the trucks which may or may not be prototypical but I liked it. The original interior was removed and I found some park benches at Hobby Lobby that are about the right size. I made a new floor from foam board and placed the benches oriented to the sides. I sorted through all of my figures and painted and added as needed. I do think I need to add some more standing figures in the windows. I have attached photos of one converted car and the other that isn't yet though that will change in the next few weeks. This is the first time I've bashed an existing rail car and I'm pleased with the results. I'm more used to cutting balsa than plastic and it is definitely a different process.

    Rick H. 2.jpg 1.jpg
     
  2. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Very much different materials, although many of the techniques and tools are quite similar (except for adhesives). I like the overall effect you got, although if this is for a tourist/scenic kind of operation it might make more sense to place the benches so that people are seated facing out? And I hope when you convert the second car that you're able to make use of the drumhead.
     
  3. f2shooter

    f2shooter TrainBoard Member

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    I think I am going to re position the benches to the center but in alternating directions. The second car will be the same way but I still want to put some standing passengers in both cars and on the outer platform. The first car didn't have the drum head or interior lighting. The second one has both and I'll keep all of that and plan to add lights inside the first car. All will be powered by 9v batteries. Actually the second car is already set up for 9v. Yeah I have a drawer full of Testor paints for plastic as well as using the Ace brand colors. I have a couple of other brand plastic paints which I've discovered the hard way don't mix with Testors. Most of the saws, knives, Dremel tools and other stuff have proven to be useful on trains as well as the planes, cars, boats and so on. Way too many toys. Wait, that can't be right :)

    Rick H.
     
  4. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    No such thing as "too many toys." Curious though about how the paints don't mix. I've used a variety of brands and types of paints and have yet to see any problems (although this doesn't apply to trying to actually mix the paints, just to using one over the other)
     
  5. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    So the passengers would be facing outward? This seems like a good idea to me.
     
  6. f2shooter

    f2shooter TrainBoard Member

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    A couple of years ago I was repainting a set of short flat cars and used two different brands of what I call plastic paint. I think one was a Pactra color and the other two in Model Master. The Pactra wasn't compatible and began shriveling up within seconds. Had to scrape it all off, clean everything up and re-spray. What a mess!

    Rick H.
     
  7. phantom

    phantom TrainBoard Member

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    Looking good! I do like the trucks. :)
     
  8. f2shooter

    f2shooter TrainBoard Member

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    I finished the conversion to the second car before Christmas and installed the benches in both of them to the center and facing alternate directions. As the second car was wired for lighting it took some extra care to get that all out without damage. Still had to cut a couple of wires but they soldered okay. Even the drumhead works and I have a good stash of 9v batteries. Anyway here they are. My wife got me a vinyl cutter for my birthday which is incredibly useful in modeling. I'll be doing some lettering soon and getting some sight seers in the new car. I think that's my next big purchase, people. Lots of them. One interesting note, I painted both roof tops in a bright chrome but it damaged very easily. I clear coated both in Spraymax which flattened the chrome to a grey. Don't know why that happened but it works. Next up is a U25 I also bought in Tampa that is about to get detailed, painted and weathered and wired for batteries. I'll try and keep it more prototypical than this project.

    Rick H. RIC_0001.jpg RIC_0003.jpg RIC_0006.jpg
     

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