I am wanting to build kitbashed business car for my railroad. My idea is to start with a heavyweight car divide it into four sections the rear observation platform which spans the last quarter of the car followed by the enclosed lounge area then in the forward half a raised open air platform connected to a raised cupola area that covers the first quarter of the car.
The raised area would be built using old steel caboose cupolas.
Any suggestions that might help?
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
It sounds like you are building a heavyweight version of the "Silver Chalet"
http://trn.trains.com/railroads/ask-trains/2011/11/silver-chalet-history
Trouble is, there aren't very many models available of "modernized" or what the railroads called betterment cars, out there.
If you want a modernized-looking business car the Kato fluted stainless car might make a good starting point and they are a very nice model and can be found fairly reasonably both in N and HO.
IMG_9931_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
I recently repainted mine to represent the PRR 1000, the ex-ADOLPHUS built for the Wabash and once leased to Amtrak. I added the track inspection lights, too.
Maybe you could find an old Rivarossi/AHM dome car and splice it into the roof?
Possibly shorten it a bit for your "custom" car?
Caboose cupolas seem like they would be tricky to fit to a passenger contour roof?
Good Luck, Ed
Perhaps modernized wasn't the term I was looking for I was thinking of using a square end observation sides with heavyweight floor windows and roof and an old steel caboose cupola that has been stretched as the dome. But yes quite similar to the Silver Chalet.
Well, there were dynamometer cars and clearance cars that the railroad engineering departments used. These were basically a heavyweight passenger car converted to the use and many were fitted with "cupolas" so, sure, it could be done.
Sounds like a fun kit-bash project. A few years ago I got the chance to tour BNSF's business car maintenance facility in Topeka, Kansas. Passenger car heaven!
There's a part II also:
The "Theater" or gallery cars with the tiered seating wasn't a modern-day idea. I've seen photos of early, open-air sightseeing cars with tiered seating. Similar to what Rio Grande used to run in the Royal Gorge.
Have Fun!
Ed
Well looks like I've gone full circle and came back to this idea...
Does anyone have a steel caboose like the one below that they could measure the cupola length?
One of the MR anniversary issues - I forget if it was the 50th in 1984 or an older one, used a kitbashed business car, and in the Paint Shop column Jim Hediger showed how he built it, from a plain old cheap Rivarossi observation. Actually I'm pretty sure it was earlier than 1984 - maybe the 45th in 79 or even the 40th in 74, because I was rather young and actually had one of the Rivarossi cars, in a random road name, and I attempted to make it, but most definitely alcked the skills. I did end up with the car painted, and a matching loco (I painted the AHM switcher I had). Paint was way too thick, and waaaaay too shiny, and the colors were just horrible, a blue and gold (bright yellow) two tone scheme.
The ACTUAL article and car built was quite nice, they added track lights and even an interior with tiered seating to look out the big back window that got added. Definitely check it out, it would be a good project for you.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Steven,
You should try a much simpler project first. Especially when it comes to hacking up the roof line and merging two dissimilar pieces of stock together.
Perhaps start with an end cupola caboose, and modify the location of the cupola to be in the center.
This space reserved for SpaceMouse's future presidential candidacy advertisements
I intend to make a STRATTON & GILLETTE buisness car from an older Roundhouse Pullman Palace observation car.
.
I don't plan much modification, but a garish "Al Carsteins" business car paint job will make it stand out.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
GraniteRailroaderPerhaps start with an end cupola caboose, and modify the location of the cupola to be in the center.
That's a great suggestion! The Athearn BB cabooses are still pretty cheap and they offer a number of opportunities for kitbashing and detailing.
Steven:
The cupolas on my BB cabooses like the one in your picture are 3/4" long.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
rrinker One of the MR anniversary issues - I forget if it was the 50th in 1984 or an older one, used a kitbashed business car, and in the Paint Shop column Jim Hediger showed how he built it, from a plain old cheap Rivarossi observation. Actually I'm pretty sure it was earlier than 1984 - maybe the 45th in 79 or even the 40th in 74, because I was rather young and actually had one of the Rivarossi cars, in a random road name, and I attempted to make it, but most definitely alcked the skills. I did end up with the car painted, and a matching loco (I painted the AHM switcher I had). Paint was way too thick, and waaaaay too shiny, and the colors were just horrible, a blue and gold (bright yellow) two tone scheme. The ACTUAL article and car built was quite nice, they added track lights and even an interior with tiered seating to look out the big back window that got added. Definitely check it out, it would be a good project for you. --Randy
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
November 2017 Model Railroad Craftsman had the third part of a series on building a wooden business car. I realize wood is not what you had in mind, but this chapter dealt with the interior detailing.
PM me your address and I could scan it or mail it. I picked this issue up on a whim and do not have the earlier parts of the series.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Just checking on this thread...
Geez Stephen, first you want to kitbash a monsterous boxcab locomotive and now you want a scratch built "state of the art" business car to go with it?! How much fantasizing are you doing here?!
We need some photos, can you post a few so we can see what "type" of business car you want to build. Will it be heavyweight/lightweight? four axle/six axle?
Did the NWP-SWP tend to avoid off the shelf models in favor of building thier own unique roster of locomotives and rolling stock? It sure seems that way... :)
ATSFGUY, I think you'd be a great help with my projects but could you please read through some of the posts in the threads you'd answer a few of your own questions... Also PM me back to discuss some ideas...