Upgrading MDC/Roundhouse boxcars

[sailormatlac]

Completed the Rock Island car this morning, except the doors, which were ordered and in the mail. The model isn't perfect. Particularly the roof. The thick paper was two-layer and the upper one started to peel off. I had to secure everything down with Future Wax Floor and painted everything to ensure it would be glued in paint. Next time, I'll use a one layer paper. My roof wasn't level too, you will see the running boards are like roller coaster. This is mainly due to the fact I wasn't enough careful when I installed the roof trusses. When I installed them, I didn't thought about making them exceed the sides to make room for the Murphy's panel gutter. It was adjusted later and then, the roof panels didn't sit perfectly on the trusses. Live and learn!

Gluing the weight with CA isn't always good in the long term so I also added styrene blocks to keep them in place if the glue wear off.



Brake apparatus is Tichy. I really love to install it. It's a first since I HATE doing this kind of job. Tichy parts are well designed and only take a few minute to install.



The car with roof and wire grabs.



Using thin paper, I simulated various steel plates that were on the prototype. I used a needle to puch rivets in them. Door stops were also added.



The painted car waiting its doors and decals.







The car was spotted on Montmorency Locomotive Works' yard this morning.





Here you can see, from left to right: Accurail 7 panel OSB boxcar, MDC/Roundhouse rebuilt boxcar and Train Miniature boxcar.



Enjoy!

The Santa Fe car is already under construction. It should be finished rather quickly.

Matt