Trains.com

backwoods rolling stock

2819 views
20 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: NJ (Kittatinny Mountains)
  • 436 posts
backwoods rolling stock
Posted by SNOWSHOE on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 9:32 AM

I idecided to start kitbashing my hartland mini series gondala into a backwoods tender and also my backwoods box  car.  The boxcar frame is the flatebed from my LGB starter set.  This is my first attempt at ever kitbashing.  I have no idea what im doing.  Confused [%-)]

This is the tender.  I cut out the front and started to make out of wood a box to hold the fire wood.  The cylinder looking piece is going to be the water tank for the back.  I still need to find two small tool boxes for the front of the tender.  Having trouble finding anything.  I want to add some small details like tools etc...

This is going to be my backwoods boxcar.  I screwed and glued the wood supports.  Once dry I will add some beams to the top.  Then from there I will add some stripes of wood horizontaly for the outside and then I have to come up with a door.  Any adivise on both these projects will be a great help.  I guess I have to start somewhere.   

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: West Australia
  • 2,217 posts
Posted by John Busby on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 11:42 AM

Hi Snowshoe

This link may be of use

http://cs.trains.com/forums/1/282604/ShowPost.aspx#282604

and you might get lucky and be able to track down a plan which will have some usefull information in the notes.

regards John Busby

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 7:54 PM

Hey looks good to me!

Check this out and do a search around the site: http://www.ozarkminiatures.com/Scripts/prodList.asp

Toad

 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: NJ (Kittatinny Mountains)
  • 436 posts
Posted by SNOWSHOE on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 6:46 AM

Well I got more work done. (actually have three procts going) I started putting siding on my boxcar.  At first I was using strip wood but found it did not look good too many spaces.  I used some boards and cut lines in to look like planks.  Worked out pretty good.  I also took one of my flatbed wood cars and added wood ontop , front and back.  Looks much better. My tender is getting there, just have to paint a few pieces before I can attach anything.

 

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: West Australia
  • 2,217 posts
Posted by John Busby on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 8:45 AM

Hi Snowshoe

You have been busy.

Looking good.

Just on the picture, I actualy think the rustic side of the box car looks better it has that intangible thing back woods atmosphere.

Can't wait to see the finished results should be well worth the wait.

regards John Busby

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 9:53 AM

Yeah man, this stuff is rolling along sweetly! Is your daughter watching and asking questions yet?

Toadster

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: NJ (Kittatinny Mountains)
  • 436 posts
Posted by SNOWSHOE on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 11:59 AM
My daughter loves projects like this.  She is making her own things with the wood.  Keeps her busy LOL
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Centennial, CO
  • 1,192 posts
Posted by kstrong on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 1:49 PM
 SNOWSHOE wrote:
My daughter loves projects like this.  She is making her own things with the wood.  Keeps her busy LOL


Cool! That's pretty much how I got started in building--hammering and gluing together scraps of wood, plastic, and styrofoam while my dad tinkered with this project or that. Suzi's a bit young for the workshop yet, but I imagine she'll drive me as crazy as I'm sure I drove my dad.

Later,

K
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: NJ (Kittatinny Mountains)
  • 436 posts
Posted by SNOWSHOE on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 7:04 PM

here is the finished project on my first flat bed.  I think it came out pretty good considering.  Everyone is making fum of me because I actually was sitting down doing something.  (Im the type who never sits always out doing something-ADD)  Here it is please feel free and be honest on where I can improve.  Iused the folk art paints, only problem is they have weird names for the colors.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 7:18 PM

If you like weathering just add it. Not to much will give it a over kill.

make-up sponge (steal one), tip of brush, etc...

did you want a # on the car?

old oil for the new timbers on it (soak in) or what you like...man we can go crazy on it!!!

Toad

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: West Australia
  • 2,217 posts
Posted by John Busby on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 9:11 PM

Hi Snowshoe

Just needs the deck grawnched a bit where things have been dragged on the deck,and a bit of weathering

You could go further if you wish and tie a suitable back woods load to the deck brickies string line would probably be good rope for that.

If you want weird named paint you could always use Games Workshop hobby paintsSmile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

If the colour's you chose look right to you make a note of the brand and colour of paint you used for next time, if it is water based paint a spray of exterior grade flat clear coat of some sort is a good idea.

Looks good you can almost hear the banjo's, lagerphone and wobble boardSmile,Wink, & Grin [swg] 

regards John Busby

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: NJ (Kittatinny Mountains)
  • 436 posts
Posted by SNOWSHOE on Thursday, June 19, 2008 6:53 AM

I finished painting my tender and put it back together.  All I need to do is make two tool boxes, add some tools onto the tender and I want to put two lanterns on either side of the tender. 

 

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: West Australia
  • 2,217 posts
Posted by John Busby on Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:37 AM

Hi Snowshoe

Those banjo's are geting louderSmile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

It may be worth concidering puting LGB link and pin couplings (they should be a straight swop over) between the loco and tender so they are a matched pair.

"This ere ain't getin tha wood cut git that train owt of ere"Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

The little red  (1/2 I call it) caboose that was in GR a little while ago would be ideal for your train perhaps the designer could put up a picture "K" hint hint

As would puting a square? rectangular?, water tank marked potable water only on another one of the little flats.

regards John Busby

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 19, 2008 9:25 AM

 SNOWSHOE wrote:

For the back, chains I went to Wal~Mart to jewelry section then to where the junk is and found several long chains with charms......you could give a doubble thing and give one to the gal/girl of yours?!

IMHO 

Toad

 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: NJ (Kittatinny Mountains)
  • 436 posts
Posted by SNOWSHOE on Thursday, June 19, 2008 9:36 AM

great idea toad.  I will have to go to wal-mart and get some chain and give the wife the charm.  She will never know my real intentions. LOL

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: NJ (Kittatinny Mountains)
  • 436 posts
Posted by SNOWSHOE on Thursday, June 19, 2008 9:40 AM
John, Thats the other step I plan on  adding the link and pin eventually.  May have to wait till I can get some more money.  Good winter project.  I never though about the potable water another great idea.  I was thinking about getting that caboose from hartlands mini series but again the money thing is holding me back.  Unless K can post that picture of the one you mention with a possible plan.Whistling [:-^]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 19, 2008 9:50 AM
 SNOWSHOE wrote:

great idea toad.  I will have to go to wal-mart and get some chain and give the wife the charm.  She will never know my real intentions. LOL

 

 

Well ROFLMAO, you can ask the lady at the counter if she has any new blank gift boxs Big Smile [:D]

Bad ~ Toad

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:16 AM
 SNOWSHOE wrote:

I finished painting my tender and put it back together.  All I need to do is make two tool boxes, add some tools onto the tender and I want to put two lanterns on either side of the tender. 

 

EXCELLENT!  Welcome to the DARK SIDE my boy! Shock [:O]Wink [;)]Big Smile [:D]

We'll have you carving locomotives in no time at all...Mischief [:-,]

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: West Australia
  • 2,217 posts
Posted by John Busby on Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:47 AM

 SNOWSHOE wrote:
John, Thats the other step I plan on  adding the link and pin eventually.  May have to wait till I can get some more money.  Good winter project.  I never though about the potable water another great idea.  I was thinking about getting that caboose from hartlands mini series but again the money thing is holding me back.  Unless K can post that picture of the one you mention with a possible plan.Whistling [:-^]

Hi Snowshoe

Took a bit of finding but this link  http://www.trains.com/grw/default.aspx?c=a&id=134

should take you to the PDF body templates for the caboose that should help a bit.

I think it also gives you the dates of mags where Kevin built it, and a small picture of the beast on the page as well as the PDF link.

regards John Busby

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: NJ (Kittatinny Mountains)
  • 436 posts
Posted by SNOWSHOE on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 3:27 PM

I have not been able to get much done on my backwoods rolling stock.  Im into the busy season at work.  The few days off I had I went camping or just sitting enjoying the trains running.  I did get a little more detail done on my tender.  I added some rails using a coat hanger and I made little tool boxes out of wood.  Also got another log car painted and ordered two more of the hartland log cars.  Still waiting for one more to come in.  I have not been able to get anything on my boxcar done yet.  I am even thinking of putting it to the side for a while.  I really would like to get that small caboose started.  That will probably be next on the list.  My layout is filling in although it will probably take until next summer to get it to where I want it. 

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 3, 2008 3:06 AM

From brake man to enginer.....easy! Sweet. The Dark Side will call every chance it gets from now on!

Just ask Vic.

Toad

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Garden Railways magazine. Please view our privacy policy