What is the best train car for a beginner to scratchbuild?

[IRB Souther Engineer]

What is the best train car for a beginner to scratchbuild? And where can I get the plans?

[cabbage]

 Well....

First of all we need some basic information(!)

What sort of railway is it that you are planning to build?

What are the Scale and Gauge of the rolling stock that you want to build?

regards

ralph 

[altterrain]

 Yes, we need to know your interests. Plastic is typically used to replicate steel and wood is used for wood.  GR has offered many narrow gauge car plans typically made of wood over the years. Large scale narrow gauge runs from 1/13.7 scale for 2 foot narrow gauge and 1:20.3 (the correct scale), 1:22.5 and 1:24 scales for 3 foot narrow gauge.

More modern steel standard gauge car plans have been offered over the years by MR, other mags and online resources. These are typically made in 1/29 (most popular) or 1/32 (correct) scale in large scale.

In either case - simple gondola cars are a good car to start with.

-Brian

[gbbari]

I agree with Brian - gondola or even a simple flatcar might be the easiest. There are downloadable plans right here on this website - go up to the menu under the picture of the train. Click on "How To & Videos", then "Downloadable Pullout Plans". No gondolas or flatcars but there are two boxcars that should not be too difficult.
AL

[IRB Souther Engineer]

I have seen that boxbar... it seems hard rather to build.

On this website I also found work cabose plans which seem easier, (you can get to them by clicking "How To & Videos" then construction and Landscaping and finally June 2006 in the archive). 

[phishplatephan]

Hi, I'm just building my first scratch build cars, a 60 foot Gondola and a 60 foot box car. I wanted some modern looking wagons so I bought two 'HO' cars from my local shop here in the UK and with a set of digital calipers times everything by 3.

I used 8mm perspex to form the frame to give the car strength and so far so good, the measurements were 610mm by 98mm so that when you add the sides using 2mm styrene and then the ribbing it works out at about 110mm which matches the Aristo 53' Evans car.

I drew out an actual size drawing first to plan where the ribs should go and then started from there. I'm using 6.3mm OD brass tube (27mm in length) glued into the perspex to for the truck king pin as this is a perfect fit for the USA trains modern truck. An M5 35mm machine screw soldered in forms the fixing that secures the truck to the frame with a 9mm spacer. So far I'm pleased with how far I've got...... and very surprised I've managed what I've achieved with my clumsy fingers!

[smcgill]

You also need to learn to photograph!!! WEEEEE all want pics!!!!!! This is the learning curve! Then you need to learn how to post those pics! Then we will all give you our 2 cents weather you want it or not. Most will be encouraging and help full ! Oh Ya Welcome!!! Sean

[dwbeckett]

smcgill

You also need to learn to photograph!!! WEEEEE all want pics!!!!!! This is the learning curve! Then you need to learn how to post those pics! Then we will all give you our 2 cents weather you want it or not. Most will be encouraging and help full ! Oh Ya Welcome!!! Sean

 

First to the fourm and I agree with the above comments,

Dave