Upgrading MDC/Roundhouse boxcars

[sailormatlac]

Nice wheathering there.

Thank you!

I continued to work on my MDC/Roundhouse stock pile. Years ago, I litterally got a lot of them when MDC went under.... My first kits were Roundhouse, a 36' stock car and a FMC Railbox.

Anyway, I decided to start upgrading a M&StL hopper sheel into a presentable car. I only found one picture of these hoppers in the 1950's. They didn't look red, but much more like a redder oxy red... Anyway, I'm not modelling an american road, so I'm less picky.

I had to rework extensively the frame to reflect a more prototype look. I also replaced all grabirons with wire ones and added a Kadee Ajax brakewheel. THe car is now ready for weathering. I'll try to do a better job at interior weathering since I think it really brings a hopper to life.







I also worked again on the Swift reefer. I built a new underframe from styrene to reflect better Swift prototype. I used a Sunshine Kit picture as reference.











It only needs a little paint touch ups and roofwalk brackets before weathering.

Matt