Mass Production on the tank car line.

[dstarr]

Here we have two tank car underframes.  I have added brake rigging and  a train air line to both of them. The tank bodies are painted and ready to install, I didn't bother to add grab irons.  All I have to do is paint them and screw them together and two more tankers join my fleet.  Doing them two at a time does speed things up.  In return for getting the right tool or drill bit found and set up, I get to make twice as many cars.

[mlehman]

David,

This is a great strategy for those of us who model prototypes that require more than just opening the box or who want to build unique pieces of rolling stock on a large scale. This is the case still in HOn3, despite the wondrous innovations of Blackstone.

I typically build kits in lots of 2 or 3. I have done 5 cars at once (Rail Line Rio Grande 3000 series boxcars). It does speed things up, because much of the time spent building a kit is devoted to getting your tools or process in order at each step. Actually doing whatever needs to be done can be relatively quick compared to the set-up process.

On the other hand, one needs to be aware that it's also possible to really screw a batch of cars up this way. If you make a mistake and don't catch it, then you're really in a pickle. A fellow has to know his limitations, because when I built my PSC WP&Y DL535E, I decided to do just one at a time -- just in case. It was my first brass kit and the instructions consist of pictures of the parts identified. The rest was up to you!

I decided to do them one at a time, just in case, as I felt I needed to concentrate on the learning curve on this model.

Once you have a little confidence about your skills, your suggestion is a very good tip in my book.

[doctorwayne]

I seldom bother to build stuff one-at-a-time, and single kits or kitbashes are done both with other singles and other multiples, too.  My last effort, seen HERE started out with  23 cars, but the total was up to 50 or so by the time I finished them all.  While there were groups requiring similar work (and tools), that was one of the reasons the project list grew, as I realised I had others, already on the layout, that required the same work. 

mlehman

.....On the other hand, one needs to be aware that it's also possible to really screw a batch of cars up this way. If you make a mistake and don't catch it, then you're really in a pickle....

The re-build of the eight Athearn boxcars within that group was one of those situations which Mike mentions.  I had an idea of what I wanted to do and what the cars should look like when finished, but the process evolved from what was originally planned as work proceeded.  I was pleased with the way they turned out, though.
Another advantage of working on multiples is that you will often have something available on which to work while paint or glue dries on some of the other ones.

I followed the freight car project with locomotives, including a number of repairs for friends, plus some rebuilds and paint jobs for both myself and others.  The original batch is done except for the one loco which is mine, and it needs only some clear finish on the decals and some weathering.  Fortunately, when it's done, I have six more of my own on which I hope to work next.

Wayne