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Convert open platform passabger cars to narrow vestibule

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  • Member since
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Convert open platform passabger cars to narrow vestibule
Posted by dfdf1995 on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 3:22 PM

I bought some Roundhouse 50' open platform passenger cars because I wanted to model 1890 era. But I could not find locos I could afford. So I changing era to 1920. Do you think I could convert these open platform cars to narrow vestibule cars? Has anyone done it? Pictures? From proto pictures I've seen the vestibule looks like a narrow box with a door ona the end so I think I could reasonably model this.

  • Member since
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  • From: Michigan, USA
  • 120 posts
Posted by allegedlynerdy on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 3:27 PM

I'd say it might not be necessary, depending on your prototype. A lot of short lines, and branch lines on minor railroads (particularly in warmer parts of the country) kept open platform cars up into the late 20s - the railroad I model almost exclusively used open platform cars until they ended passenger service in the 50s - and they were in a region that got over 20' of snow every winter!

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  • From: Canada, eh?
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Posted by doctorwayne on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 6:29 PM

The cars with narrow vestibules were usually fitted with diaphragms, and the narrow vestibules would have also had doors on their sides, along with the usual steps for boarding the cars.

Another option might be to enclose the platforms, and then add diaphragms.

I bought three of those MDC 50'-ers, but converted all three to MoW useage...

The CPR ended the use of narrow vestibule cars in 1893, but I have to admit that a photo of a narrow vestibule car showed extremely ornate handrails on those cars.

Wayne

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  • From: Franconia, NH
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Posted by dstarr on Thursday, December 29, 2022 7:14 AM

I clearly remember the Boston and Maine operating open platform coaches thru the 1940s.  Wooden coaches, truss rods. 

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Posted by MidlandMike on Thursday, December 29, 2022 7:43 PM

allegedlynerdy
- the railroad I model almost exclusively used open platform cars until they ended passenger service in the 50s - and they were in a region that got over 20' of snow every winter!

Are you referring to the New Haven?

  • Member since
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  • From: Michigan, USA
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Posted by allegedlynerdy on Thursday, December 29, 2022 10:16 PM

Nope, the Copper Range Railroad- a short line in Michigan's UP that was in captive ore service but still was a common carrier as well. Afaik there's 2 surviving cars of theirs in North Freedom WI (as well as a few that were used as extensions on houses.

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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, December 29, 2022 11:55 PM

allegedlynerdy
Nope, the Copper Range Railroad <SNIP> Afaik there's 2 surviving cars of theirs.

One of their cars was destroyed by an Ork-Looted Imperial Guard Vanquisher!

-Photograph by Kevin Parson

Laugh

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2022
  • From: Michigan, USA
  • 120 posts
Posted by allegedlynerdy on Friday, December 30, 2022 1:09 AM

SeeYou190

One of their cars was destroyed by an Ork-Looted Imperial Guard Vanquisher!

-Photograph by Kevin Parson

Laugh

-Kevin

 

 

Where did you manage to find that box car in yellow? Afaik only Bowser has made their boxcars and in brown.

Also, respect as a fellow Warhammer player, my other main hobby actually.

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, December 30, 2022 10:19 AM

allegedlynerdy
Where did you manage to find that box car in yellow?

I made it.

The STRATTON AND GILLETTE exists in an entirely fictional world. Every freight car in my "fleet of nonsense" has a ficticious roadname. I have over one hundred made-up railroads in my freight car collection.

-Photograph by Kevin Parson

I obtained the COPPER RANGE decals in a deal on ebay. I decorated two freight cars, then I found out it was a real railroad.

Oops! 

Bang Head

It happens sometimes.

allegedlynerdy
Also, respect as a fellow Warhammer player, my other main hobby actually.

That looted Vanquisher was my first Orky Conversion. It is a veteran of countless losing battles all around Florida.

My first few Ork units were painted with human flesh tones. They are all properly green now.

My other two hobbies are wargaming and photography. Every once in a while all three overlap, like in this scene showing the destruction of the other COPPER RANGE freight car by a pack of Kroxigors!

-Photograph by Kevin Parson

allegedlynerdy
Afaik only Bowser has made their boxcars and in brown.

If you want the remainder of the COPPER RANGE decals I have, just send me your address.

Somebody had them custom printed by Rail Graphics.

kevintparson@gmail.com

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • 6,449 posts
Posted by MidlandMike on Friday, December 30, 2022 8:51 PM

allegedlynerdy

Nope, the Copper Range Railroad- a short line in Michigan's UP that was in captive ore service but still was a common carrier as well. Afaik there's 2 surviving cars of theirs in North Freedom WI (as well as a few that were used as extensions on houses.

 

When I looked back at your earlier post, I see I misread 20' of snow as 20".  The Copper Range was one of the Keeweenaw lines I considered modeling, with its interesting movement of product from mine, to mill, to smelter, to interchange.

  • Member since
    January 2022
  • From: Michigan, USA
  • 120 posts
Posted by allegedlynerdy on Friday, December 30, 2022 9:33 PM

MidlandMike

 

 
allegedlynerdy

Nope, the Copper Range Railroad- a short line in Michigan's UP that was in captive ore service but still was a common carrier as well. Afaik there's 2 surviving cars of theirs in North Freedom WI (as well as a few that were used as extensions on houses.

 

 

 

When I looked back at your earlier post, I see I misread 20' of snow as 20".  The Copper Range was one of the Keeweenaw lines I considered modeling, with its interesting movement of product from mine, to mill, to smelter, to interchange.

 

 

I love the region, the mines, and all that. I also graduated from the local University which started as a training school for the mines, so it just made sense to me to model it. Plus the shorter rolling stock (such as the 50' passenger cars to slightly bring it back to the purpose of this thread) means I'll hopefully be able to get away with tighter curves.

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