Scratchbashing an HOn3 Reefer - Printable Version +- (https://bigbluetrains.com) +-- Forum: Mainline (https://bigbluetrains.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=17) +--- Forum: Narrow Gauge, Logging and Mining (https://bigbluetrains.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=22) +--- Thread: Scratchbashing an HOn3 Reefer (/showthread.php?tid=8107) |
Scratchbashing an HOn3 Reefer - cnrglen - 07-24-2016 I've had an old HOn3 reefer sitting in my parts bin and I thought it would be a good candidate for a rebuild. I'm not sure of it's lineage it came with printed basswood sides and cast metal details. I peeled off all the metal castings. It was missing enough of them to make them unusable except for spare parts on other projects. I ordered a set of decals off ebay for White pass and Yukon. The original set was for a boxcar and in yellow but the seller was able to print me a set in black, for a reefer. From Grandt Line I got: D&RGW HOn3 reefer hardware set D&RGW Bolster and end beam set and a set of 6" queen posts Now this isn't going to be an entirely prototypical WP&Y reefer. Their's has a metal frame where I plan to build a truss-rod frame for mine. It's more of a freelance deal. Re: Scratchbashing an HOn3 Reefer - cnrglen - 07-24-2016 So I started by peeling off the original sides to the car, removing the original wood bolsters and sanding things as smooth as I could get it. I plan to replace the original sides and ends with basswood car siding, add a trussrod frame and the grandt line details. I added the grandt line bolsters and the stringers to the bottom as well as the queenpost beams. Then I test fitted a pair of grandt line trucks to it. I also found that I had to use 0-80 screws for the trucks as everything is smaller. The small size of the grandt line trucks takes a bit of getting used to the larger trucks are from MDC. I might add some spacers under the trucks as they seem to ride a bit low to my eyes. I also need to see the track clearance for the 6" queenposts. More later. Re: Scratchbashing an HOn3 Reefer - cnrglen - 07-24-2016 I added the queen posts tonight: I've been trying to figure out what the underside of these things plausibly looked like and through a bit of research and looking at a standard gauge boxcar figured out this is where they go. I'm not sure how detailed I'm going to do the underside, probably just install the K-brake cylinder. Mostly the topside will be visible anyway. Re: Scratchbashing an HOn3 Reefer - modelsof1900 - 07-25-2016 CNRglen, good work! Wish you succes and a nice looking new model! I love such not often seen wood models! Re: Scratchbashing an HOn3 Reefer - nachoman - 07-25-2016 Looking good I'm bashing my own HOn3 reefer from a cut-down MDC standard gauge one that I bought for about 50 cents at a train show. Re: Scratchbashing an HOn3 Reefer - sailormatlac - 07-30-2016 Refurbishing junked old cars and locomotives is the most rewarding part of this hobby. Matt Re: Scratchbashing an HOn3 Reefer - doctorwayne - 07-30-2016 sailormatlac Wrote:Refurbishing junked old cars and locomotives is the most rewarding part of this hobby. Yup! I've got a layout populated to a great degree by the same kind of stuff. Wayne Re: Scratchbashing an HOn3 Reefer - cnrglen - 07-30-2016 Thanks for the support everyone. The project is on hold for just a bit after I realized that I had ordered all the parts I needed I was missing the turnbuckles for the truss rods. I should be getting them shortly. Kevin, I'm converting parts of an MDC reefer into a storage shed to go beside my stamp mill project. Re: Scratchbashing an HOn3 Reefer - cnrglen - 08-27-2016 Just to prove I haven't dropped this project I was over at another modeller's house the other day and he gave me a few packs of these: I don't really need anything out of them except for the turnbuckles, which are old-school stamped brass but they will do the job. On another note I have three more HOn3 cars n the way from Ebay, a Rail Line boxcar and two Labelle passenger cars. I guess I should start looking for a decent engine, seeing as my two Logging tank engines are both unpowered and won't look right pulling passenger cars. Re: Scratchbashing an HOn3 Reefer - cnrglen - 11-06-2016 I have been mulling over this project and decided that I need some HOn3 tools essentials to make this work properly. Most importantly I need to be able to set coupler heights right so I have a Kadee coupler gauge on order. In the meantime over the past week I've been working on my Railline HOn3 boxcar: For a plastic kit it's quite the challenge, particularly deciphering the instructions. I would say the kit itself is about as complicated as a Tichy kit but the instructions: This is a photocopy of the original but I found they were somewhat overly complicated and difficult to follow. It did get easier as I continued, probably because there were less parts on the sprues I had to repair the roofwalk on one end. The previous owner cut the boards flush with the end of the car so I used a bit of strip styrene to re-lengthen them. The kit also came with full under body detail but I had to search out a picture of a Blackstone car to completely figure out how everything went. I'll be doing a similar setup o the reefer. this is about how far I've gotten. I have to spray primer before adding the couplers and trucks. But I can get back to the reefer soon now that I have the rigging figured out. I have one or two other HOn3 cars to build so instead of opening more threads, I'll just build them here. Re: Scratchbashing an HOn3 Reefer - cnrglen - 11-11-2016 Getting back to the Reefer project, I tackled the underbody details this afternoon. I got some turnbuckles from Grandt line and a Denver and Rio Grande Western brake set. It's similar to the brake set in the Rail line boxcar. I added the main brake components before the truss rods. Then I added the truss rods. I used some black beading line from Micheals for the truss rods. It threaded perfectly through the cored holes in the turnbuckles. I still have to add the wire hangers and brake rods but it's almost done underneath. The last thing I did was to add the weight. I got the car to just under 3 oz. in weight so I figure that will be enough. After I finish of the under frame details I can start sheathing the car back up. Re: Scratchbashing an HOn3 Reefer - cnrglen - 11-12-2016 I added the sheathing to the car side and ends today. The sheet of basswood cars side material was a bit thick, but it was about the same as the original. I added the ends first, cut a bit over size, then added the sides. after the glue dried I sanded the ends flush with the roof and sides. It's ready for the hardware to be added. Re: Scratchbashing an HOn3 Reefer - ak-milw - 11-12-2016 Not much of the old car left, but it looks great. Re: Scratchbashing an HOn3 Reefer - cnrglen - 11-12-2016 Well the bones are still there, hidden under all the new. I probably could scratchbuild the whole thing except for the roof. Re: Scratchbashing an HOn3 Reefer - ak-milw - 11-12-2016 I don't know if you are aware but Micro-Mark sells wooden roofs ready to go except for a little sanding. Just thought I would throw that out there for maybe later projects. |