NS Cross Tie Gondola Kitbashing

[Dough]

Ok, after my last post I decided to use the Walthers pulpwood car to make one of NS's dedicated tie cars. This will be my first attempt at anything past a blue box so I would appreaciate any help!

Here is the proto:


http://www.hubhobbyshop.com/mow5.htm
http://www.krunk.org/~joeshaw/pics/ns/co-cars/gondola.shtml

Here is the Walthers model:
http://walthers.com/exec/productinfo/932-5782

I hope to build a number of these, so if any of you have an idea for a cheaper base then let me know!

First what should I used to cut the ends down?

Now, what would be the best way to paint it? Do I need to strip the paint off of the old car? Also, what brands or paint color would work best?

Next, how can I get those white decals? Am I going to have to make them myself? I actually think that I have some decient side pics that could be turned into decals.

Finally where do I find ladders for the side?

Thanks for all of the help so far!

[ckape]

Well, for the base I'd actually suggest using the undecorated model instead of the NS model. I just didn't point to the undecorated one originally because the decorated one had a better picture.
http://walthers.com/exec/productinfo/932-5780
Of course, the picture for the undecorated one is of a decorated car, so meh.

For the ladders I'd just extend what's already there with styrene strips and bend some brass wire to the shape, but that's just the kind of guy I am.

[Dough]

Ah, I looked for an undecorated one, but couldn't find it. I guess that it was late...[;)]

[Dough]

Ok, I ordered a pair of these to play with, so in the mean time lets start with how do I saw the ends down? Is there a good plastic saw out there?

[Noah Hofrichter]

Well, if you ordered a decorated one, I would suggest stripping them before cutting begins. That way you don't have to worry about the glue dissolving while stripping, although that's unlikely to happen. I've found stripping is a good idea, because sometime at the right angles you can see the raised outline of the old logo underneath the new paint. Just my suggestion. The decals? I don't really know about them. I would bet that Microscale or soembody makes them though, just buy a locomotive set and you should be really close. If you can't find anything just scan adifferent color logo into your computer and re-color it white. One thing about tht custom decals is you'd proabably need an alps printer to print the white, that or make a fine black out line and cut the black way before appling the decal. For the letter's I'd just use an alphabet set.

Hope I helped at least a little.
Noah

[Dough]

It sure does! I'd just about given up on any more responses.

I just thought about them being white. I'll have to see if I can find some already made, I just realized that NS uses white logos on everything so it shouldn't be as hard as I was thinking. That's pretty far down the line, however. Oh and I went with the undecorated one once I found it.

Thanks again for looking!

[Dough]

Hey can anybody help me on the cutting part? What would you guys use to cut a plastic model like this?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

a razor saw would be accurate although time consuming. a cutoff wheel in a dremel would make the cut quick but you would have some touching up to do with a sanding block with some fine paper. Whatever works best for you.

[Dough]

Does anybody sell styrene that is wider than a quarter of an inch? I am guessing, but is there anything about an inch wide. Also how wide do you all think for the sides? .010?

Also, can someone who knows, tell me what kind of paint to use as well as a suggestion on the color?

And just to finish it off, what do you guys think as far as decals. The freight, hopper, or one of the others.

Thanks again...