Nachoman's spring 2010 challenge- reefer.

[nachoman]

Digging through the box of freight cars I had as a kid, this is possibly the only one that could be useable for my pre-1920 layout. It is a life-like reefer, of unknown prototype. It has a steel underframe and wooden ends, so I think it could pass for something built between 1910-1915. Since few people are experts on pre-1920 rolling stock, I think I can just update the cast-on details, add a few more details, make a few modifications to the paint, and I doubt many will know if it is accurate or not.

[Gary S]

Good choice on project number two, Kevin. And no doubt, those stirrups have to go!

[nachoman]

The stirrups are gone! Also, all grab irons have been shaved off using a chisel blade. I also shoved a piece of discarded sprue into the truck mounting holes, drilled and tapped them for a 2-56 screw to mount the trucks. I also glued a styrene pad to the floor to body mount kadee couplers.

[Gary S]

That was quick! What brand of trucks are you using?

[nachoman]

The trucks are from my junk box. I think they are either Athearn or MDC trucks in which I replaced the wheelsets.

[nachoman]

I decided one way to make the car look more appropriate for my era is to use archbar trucks and mount the brake wheel above the roofline. I carved off all the molded brake detail from the end of the car, and began fashioning a brake staff using pieces from my scrap box.

   

I also replaced all the grab irons with wire grabs, and touched up the paint using, oddly enough, "Armour yellow" that was on my paint shelf.

   

I also read that wooden roof walks were left unpainted because painted wood is slick when wet. So, I carved some board detail into the roof walk, added wood grain detail with 60 grit sandpaper, and primed with thinned household primer in preparation for staining with an ink wash.

[doctorwayne]

Looking good, Kevin.

One thing that you might want to consider is painting the grabirons black: many such cars, especially before WWII had the ironwork painted black - I think that it was because black paint was more durable than most other colours. Of course, if your paint scheme calls for yellow or boxcar red, use whatever is most appropriate.

Wayne

[Gary S]

That is some nice work, Kevin. The grabs and the brake modification are right on target.

I'm really happy with the contest. It is educational to see all the various projects and the work being done.

[eightyeightfan1]

Nice work!
Can't wait to see the end results.

[nachoman]

Looking good, Kevin.

One thing that you might want to consider is painting the grabirons black: many such cars, especially before WWII had the ironwork painted black - I think that it was because black paint was more durable than most other colours. Of course, if your paint scheme calls for yellow or boxcar red, use whatever is most appropriate.

Wayne

the car had its cast-on grabs painted brown, and I will probably do the same.

[nachoman]

It is educational to see all the various projects and the work being done.

I agree! I hope it also shows people that people can haul those junker cars out of their closet or off the discount table, make a few cheap upgrades and have a ton of fun in the process.

[Ralph]

Nice work Kevin! Way to make a treasure from a childhood car! I'm impressed by the brake! Lookin' good!!!!
Ralph

[nachoman]

I have started painting the trucks for my reefer and my tank car using my specially designed truck painting tool. I am using the testors paint in the square bottle . You know, the stuff you probably used on your very first plastic model. Why use it? Well, they sell it at the ace hardware up the street (walking distance). It actually airbrushes pretty well.

[TrainNut]

That last shot reminds me of what they used to do to the pirates that got caught.
Still no luck job hunting eh?

[eightyeightfan1]

That last shot reminds me of what they used to do to the pirates that got caught.
Still no luck job hunting eh?

Or "Vlad the Impaler"