OK, I've seen and done some scenery cop-outs. Who hasn't? But this is not a cop out-it actually is more than one piece. Using these methods, you can turn a reefer trailer van into a yard office with only a file and some glue. First, remove the shell from the chassis and wheels. Next, remove all markings of the company. Say it was a P.I.E. trailer (mine was, it was stripped before I bought it second hand). This is quoting some really weird but effective methods: Use Castrol Super Clean Engine Degreaser. I used it once before to remove paint from a locomotive shell, and it wiped the whole thing down to the bare plastic shell, which, lucky for me, was blue. Leave for 48 hours. After the first 48, clean the shell and wash it off. If the markings are still partially there, leave the shell in the degreaser for another 24 hours. If not, move to step three: if not already, remove the refridgeration unit. For me, it was located under the chassis. For most, it's on the nose of the shell. Those things may have paint, so if you put it in the degreaser, have a black Magnum Sharpie or black automotive touch-up paint nearby. After that, file the bottom smooth. Fingernail emeryboards are the best tool. Sand paper can also be used, or a common wood file. Once the bottom is flush with the sides, grab your glue, and glue it on the top. I glued mine closer to front on the left. This is now the HVAC unit. If you want, get a small propane tank or an old gas tank off a model and use that for heating oil. Finally, put the markings of the current company on. Mine will soon say, "Conrail Huntley Freight Divison Yard Office". That's all there is to it.
B30
Crap happens. When it does, stop, take a deep breath, and call the wreck train.
Some pictures please! Preferably some progress shots.
If you need help posting pictures then try this post:
http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/p/181001/1981556.aspx#1981556
Sounds like an interesting project.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
A ex-refrigerator trailer as a OFFICE?As storage, yes I have seen that quite often (don't forget to flatten the tires, as those trailer tires seem to go very flat after a few years of just standing around on a patch of weedy asphalt or gravel). Indeed, I have a weathered 45ft van (box) trailer that I use as such on a module, just haven't figured if I want to model steps or not from the back door.But a ex-refrigerator trailer as an office? I guess anything is possible, but that sounds more like a shortline c. 1955 rather than ConRail post 1976. Do you have any prototype photos of trailers used as an Office (not storage, that's common enough). Heck, used RVs or worn-out mobile homes would more likely be used, and most companies nowadays would just spring for "Modular" office trailersEven when they convert shipping containers into offices (which happens), they cut windows (well, at least one window) and regular entry doors into the sides.Also, I would advise against using the trailer refrigeration unit as the office 'HVAC' - I have been in a refrigerator trailer (unloading produce) and man, those units are LOUD! Yeah, you can adjust the temperature on them not to be freezing, but that is overkill for standard human temperature range (20-25C) - most likely a regular window A/C unit (like the BLMA A/C units) would be shoved into a hole cut in the side, and a heavy application of caulk applied around the unti to keep out the elements - also don't need to worry about fuel for the HVAC unit, just use electricity. For heat, one or two electric space heaters - and a vent thru the wall to prevent suffocation...
Are we talking about tractor trailer units? Or are these railroad cars that have been taken offline? You said "Flatten thos wheels" so I assume you are talking about tractor but I wanted to make sure.
The OP (B30-7CR) was mentioning a P.I.E. (Pacific Intermountain Express) trailer, so it must be a road semi-trailer, not a former freight car.I have seen many no-longer road-worthy semi-trailers reused as storage, sometimes with wooden or concrete block steps/ramps to allow easier access the rear trailer door. The tires (which were usually worn out to begin with - the trailers were pretty beat, but I assume had any leaks patched over so they would be dry inside) seem to lose air and flatten out (aka "Get a flat") after a few years of staying in one place - not a big deal, as the trailer isn't going anywhere). One of two of these re-purposed trailers on your modern-era module/layout makes a nice change from the far more common (in the real world) shipping-container-turned-storage-shed.Now, I know I have seen trailers purpose-built for the Military as Field HQs - i.e. an Office, and probably mineral extraction outfits (e.g. Oil well drilling companies) and scientific expeditions had similar purpose-built items, but converting a reefer-van into an office? Eh, I guess anything is possible.
BTW, arvania, what the heck is your avatar anyway - to me it looks like a monkey in a space-suit on somebody's lawn, but that can't be right.
I worked out of a Yard office like this around 2003 in Vience IL. on the NS , it was an old reefer trailer , but we had window ac unit cut into the side . It worked .
Ah ok nice. I think I night give this a go since I'll be modelling a very small, cash strapped short line :)
chutton01 BTW, arvania, what the heck is your avatar anyway - to me it looks like a monkey in a space-suit on somebody's lawn, but that can't be right.
HAHA! its the same avatar I use on most of my accounts. Its a dog with a batman suit on standing on its hind legs :P It cheers me up whenever I see it
carknocker1I worked out of a Yard office like this around 2003 in Vience IL. on the NS , it was an old reefer trailer , but we had window ac unit cut into the side . It worked .
Arvaniaa, that Batman costume looks white on my monitor - no wonder I couldn't identify it (I think I can make out the chest Bat-logo now that you mentioned it) - he's the Dark Knight, not the White Knight!
Yes there was a personel door towards the nose of the trailer , inside the trailer there was a wall built towards the back by the trailer doors that we used to store pallets of bottled water and other supplies .
Heres a question... If we want to build on of these, how would you go about cutting out a rectangle to fit the door? Since the trailer is a cube, you cannot lay it lay to put pressure with a hobby knife right? Any suggestions?
arvanlaaHeres a question... If we want to build on of these, how would you go about cutting out a rectangle to fit the door? Since the trailer is a cube, you cannot lay it lay to put pressure with a hobby knife right? Any suggestions?
For both: Mark door/window position with pencil on trailer (possibly prime to make markiings easier to see if trailer is unpainted/black plastic)
1) Drill holes inside each corner of door outline (do NOT drill outside the outline for obvious reasons), use a small saw blade (there are some available that fit in Xacto knife handles), starting in the holes you drilled, to saw along the door outline and complete the cut. Finish with flat file to smooth and straighten out opening1a) The same as above, except you (very, very carefully) use a dremel + cut-off disk in place of the Xacto saw. This is more or less a plunge cut (since the size of the cut-off disk >= size of door sides), so you'll probably do a combo of the saw blade and cut-off disk depending on length of door side to cut.
2) Find a piece of wood (cut/carve to size) to fit snuggly within the trailer body, and using that as support for the cut, slowly score along the door lines with your knife - from experience, I find this takes about infinity + 2 hours, so I use #1 the most. Actually if you do this method, the drilled holes are still a good idea as they stop you from scoring past your outline and consequently you don't have to muck with putty-filling any score lines past your door outline
I've never seen one of those mini saws but I guess I was never looking for one lol. I'll give that method a go when I start that project :)
arvanlaaI've never seen one of those mini saws but I guess I was never looking for one lol. I'll give that method a go when I start that project.
I am thinking of blades like these.
Also, depending on how brave you feel, chisels could be used. Chisels are not really designed for use as a splitting wedge, but they have been known to work as such - they have also been known to snap and split apart unexpectly when not properly used, so keep that in mind.
I don't think I would be brave enough to go the chisel route especially since ive never used one before. Lets just say that I am at the stage of modelling where I have just cut my first custom doors and windows on a kit for the first time lol.
Ps your link didnt work :( It just sent me to the Bing homepage
arvanlaaPs your link didnt work :( It just sent me to the Bing homepage
Didn't expect this many posts!
No, all the vents were molded into the plastic shell
The van shell is actually off of the trailer
The A/C unit is just my idea, used on most other buildings. If I want to I'll move it to the side
The rear doors are cast shut, but the idea is that they still open.
I think that covers most of the replies. I'll try and post some finishing shots. Right now I'm just looking around the yard for a place to put this thing!
Yeah, pictures cannot be uploaded. I'm kinda wary about Photobucket considering it isn't very secure, and the fact that at any time my photos could get hacked. Sorry for lack of visuals, but that's just me.
I've seen trailers used for temporary and even permanent offices. Sometimes they are still on the bogey and landing gear, sometimes the bogey and LG are taken off and the trailers set on cinder block or wood cribbing. One local trucker says by just adding a couple cheap windows and a door, he can sell overage, undersized (under 48' long) trailers for enough to by brand new 53'ers.
I like seeing comments complaining about needing a host site to upload photos. Including this site, I'm on 14 modeling sites, and this is the only one that doesn't let you upload photos direct from your computer files with maybe 2 or 3 clicks of a mouse. None of my photos are on a hosting site, they are either on a file on my computer, or on thumb drives. I looked into signing on to Photobucket a couple years ago, started the registration process, ran into some confusion, backed out, and never went back. Don't intend to, either.
EM-1I've seen trailers used for temporary and even permanent offices. Sometimes they are still on the bogey and landing gear, sometimes the bogey and LG are taken off and the trailers set on cinder block or wood cribbing. One local trucker says by just adding a couple cheap windows and a door, he can sell overage, undersized (under 48' long) trailers for enough to by brand new 53'ers.