Quite a while back while perusing some old modelling magazines I came across an article by Brad Smith in the September 1977 Model Railroader on kitbashing USRA tank cars from Athearn BB single and triple dome cars.
What caught my eye was his two dome kitbash and at a later date I found an undecorated triple dome kit as a donor kit. However on researching double dome tanks cars, what usually comes up are photos of the Lionel tank Double dome tank car, I gather that two dome cars were built around 1930 but as I was unable to find an actual prototype photo, I put the project on indefinite hold.
The other day I came across the BB kit and the article, and as I was wanting a break from the ferry project, (while drawing, scaling and then making parts is generally fun, it was starting to become a drag, and I wanted a quick project where someone else had done all the figuring out), I thought lack of prototype photo was not going to put me off as I thought that it would make an ideal tank car for Gern Industries.
So if DoctorWayne happens upon this, could I please have a reporting number for a two dome tank car? Also “If it’s GERN its Good!”, I don’t imagine liquid flux would need a hazmat sign, or does it?

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Thanks for looking, Cheers, the Bear.

JaBear Wrote:The other day I came across the BB kit and the article, and as I was wanting a break from the ferry project, ( while drawing, scaling and then making parts is generally fun, it was starting to become a drag ), Cheers, the Bear.

I've been converting all kinds of "Sumner class destroyer" information into 1:125.5 scale....... and then building the parts.......
I can "feel your pain" :o

Looks like a "worthy distraction"

That's a nice little project. I'll have to look up that MR article.

Thanks for the kind remarks gentlemen, though of course I had to make things harder for myself. In the original article another set of Athearn ladders were used, which I didn't have, and then I decided that having gone so far I should really remove and replace the moulded on grabs etc. So much for my "easy diversion"
BTW I found prototype photos.

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Thanks for looking, Cheers,the Bear.

You did the right thing taking the narrow path. The wire details are going to pay off a lot when painted.

Matt

Nice looking conversion, Bear. Those new ladders really elevate the appearance of the whole car.

Wayne

JaBear Wrote:and then I decided that having gone so far I should really remove and replace the moulded on grabs etc. So much for my "easy diversion" .

Signature line 1 and maybe also 3

Thank you Matt and Wayne, yes I think it was worth the extra effort. BUT looking at the rest of my small fleet of mainly Athearn BB tank cars I started to consider “the Slippery Slope”. Thankfully it turned out to be just a temporary bout of insanity and I came to the conclusion that things like finishing the car ferry and its dock plus starting a layout to put it on had far more priority than replacing cast-on details!!
Both are true Pete, but sometimes I think I’m a very slow learner.

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Thanks for looking,
Cheers, the Bear

Wow! The effort paid off pretty well! Very nice with that coat of retro aluminium paint.

Ah! I know what you mean! I superdetail models when I have nothing better to do... It can become addictive and a hurdle. Better have the models a place to run before upgrading them!

Matt

I suppose, one year later, i could say that time flies when I’m having fun, and it would be true but finally I’ve made and applied the decals. The Dullcote and weathering has to wait cos it’s far too cold in the big paint booth, well that’s my excuse anyway.

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Thanks for looking Cheers, the Bear.

Very nice job on those decals, Bear.

Wayne

Excellent! It looks at least 3% better with GERN decals! But that's a given! ;-)

Matt

Very nice work!!

Good looking work!

Thank you very much Gentlemen not only for the kind words but also the inspiration to try harder to improve.

Cheers, the Bear