07-29-2026, 07:30 PM
I got some good progress on the idler cabin.
My doors and windows from Tichy showed up. While they are not, exact replicas they will do the job.
I started with the deck end of the cabin. I added the door and pre-drilled for the grab irons that will be added. Tichy adds a drilling fixture in it's boxcar and reefer kits. I used that on this job as well.
The next challenge was to fabricate the bay window on each side. I was going to cheat and use an emd all weather window but then I went through my Evergreen styrene collection and found some 3/8" square tubing. That gives me the right width for the window structure.
I cut to lengths and angled one end for the roof. Then it was a matter of figuring out the windows.
I used my digital caliplers to meaue and place the window opening on the side. I drilled a hole in the center and used a few jewelers files to file out to the square, checking my work with the window casting as I went.
The side oval windows were made the same way. Drilling out the round ends and filing the rest of the opening. These won't have castigs in them, just glazing of some kind.
I did the same procedure to create the other door and window openings, taking care to measure for the eventual three color paint job.
The cabin on the flatcar. I still have to install the grab irons and the manual brake gear on the other end but it's coming together.
I was in a hobby shop yesterday and found this. I'm planning to take the two toolboxes off the deck and use them as the start for the deck boxes on mine.
My doors and windows from Tichy showed up. While they are not, exact replicas they will do the job.
I started with the deck end of the cabin. I added the door and pre-drilled for the grab irons that will be added. Tichy adds a drilling fixture in it's boxcar and reefer kits. I used that on this job as well.
The next challenge was to fabricate the bay window on each side. I was going to cheat and use an emd all weather window but then I went through my Evergreen styrene collection and found some 3/8" square tubing. That gives me the right width for the window structure.
I cut to lengths and angled one end for the roof. Then it was a matter of figuring out the windows.
I used my digital caliplers to meaue and place the window opening on the side. I drilled a hole in the center and used a few jewelers files to file out to the square, checking my work with the window casting as I went.
The side oval windows were made the same way. Drilling out the round ends and filing the rest of the opening. These won't have castigs in them, just glazing of some kind.
I did the same procedure to create the other door and window openings, taking care to measure for the eventual three color paint job.
The cabin on the flatcar. I still have to install the grab irons and the manual brake gear on the other end but it's coming together.
I was in a hobby shop yesterday and found this. I'm planning to take the two toolboxes off the deck and use them as the start for the deck boxes on mine.