Coach End Detailing

[lyctus]

I have recently purchased a string of Roundhouse MDC Harriman style coaches and I would like to provide corridor or vestibule connections between them. Does anyone have some suggestions ? I notice IHC advertises such detail parts. Has anyone used them on this style of coach. Are there any other options ? MDC leave a void in the spot where such connections would go. What do they do this for ?

[lyctus]

Hey fellas, any input on this topic ? I would really appreciate any info you might have. Has anyone a reference to a magazine article on detailing these MDC Harriman style coaches ? They are "old kits" (ie, they have been around an awful long time) so maybe a real archive reference ?
Any advice will be appreciated.
Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Are you talking about diaphrams like the one in this photo?
http://gelwood.el.wny.org/prr/prr-r6579ab.jpg

I have a set of MDC Harriman cars I bought used that has them. I do not know who made the diaphrams, they are plastic and don't come anywhere near each other when coupled.
I did put a set of Walthers rubber diaphrams on a set of Athearn heavyweights that look pretty good when connected and I haven't had any derailing problems either.
You could do a search for an article on the Harriman cars. I seam to remember one in MR.

[orsonroy]

End vestibules are easy to make out of plastic. Add a Grandt line door, and you've got all the detailing you'll need. Cal Scale (Bowser) makes very nice end gate castings. Walthers carries diaphrams from many manufacturers. Cal Scale makes steam and air line hoses specifically for passenger cars, as well as underframe details. Red Cap Modela sells underframe details and interior detailing.

Basically, any part you want to add to a passenger car is produced in HO scale, even including toilet paper rolls for the bathrooms. I'd suggest making a summer trip to a local railroad museum to take photos of the ends of passenger cars. Once you know what the details look like on the real thing, you can easily find the parts you want to add to the ends of your passenger car fleet.

[lyctus]

Thanks Ray and Ray, both useful replies that will help me here.