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Old-school models with a little effort

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  • Member since
    July 2010
  • From: Kyoto, JPN
  • 250 posts
Old-school models with a little effort
Posted by BN7150 on Friday, March 12, 2021 3:48 PM

Ralston Purina, 40' wood reefer (Tyco/Hong Kong)


PS: I can't find a photo of the prototype. The first model to appear in MR magazine is the HO scale kit from Laconia Industries (page 35 of the March 1953 issue). The Trade Topics (page 14 of Sept. 1953 issue) said "According to the manufacturer, the prototype was converted from a refrigerator car into a box car. The round roof exhibits four ventilators in place of conventional ice hatches common to refrigerator cars. The reefer doors, however, were not altered, and are therefore shown on the model." See also the instruction sheets on HOseeker.net. (April 15, 2021)
A photo of the prototype can be found in page 22 of the 40' Wood Reefer Collector's Guide by Atlas O, LLC. There, 5 cars of the same scheme are concatenated. (Sept. 11, 2022)

Doggie Dinner, 40' wood reefer (AHM/Roco)

Budweiser Beer, 36' wood reefer (MDC)


The image of the bald eagle mark was processed from a MTH product on the net.

 Kotaro Kuriu

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, March 12, 2021 4:11 PM

Nice looking projects. I like the way you put the checkerboard behind the ladder on the Purina car.

The brown roof and ends are certainly better than the original blue.

Here is mine, all original except for trucks and couplers:

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
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Posted by Southgate 2 on Friday, March 12, 2021 4:58 PM

Nice work on making these look like they belong on a model railroad. I'd do some of these if I had any. Dan

  • Member since
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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Friday, March 12, 2021 5:09 PM

Nice improvements!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, March 12, 2021 8:05 PM

Nice Box Car modeling!  I thought those red and white checks under the ladder was pretty creative too

Looking GoodYes

 

If I ever try my hand in rolling stock customizing, I'll be a bit behind the 8-ball from all the fine examples I see around here

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
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  • From: Nashville, TN area
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Posted by hardcoalcase on Saturday, March 13, 2021 9:04 PM

Nice work!  Painting the roof and ends makes a big difference!  Neat trick on the Purina car too.

Since I model the early 1900's, I have a lot of the Roundhouse "Old Timer" cars.  The upgrades that I typically make are:

  • Using mono-filiment 10 lb. fishline (leader line) for the truss rods (.011" represents a scale inch thick steel rod).
  • Adding Tichy turnbuckles to the truss rods.
  • Painting the chassis a brownish-gray (like the wheel wells of your auto).
  • Painting the trucks and wheels various shades of brown.
  • I add a shadow line beneath the grabs with a sharp #2 pencil.  I also use the pencil to outline reefer doors and related hardware.

I have yet to begin weathering the fleet.

Jim

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, March 14, 2021 3:58 AM

hardcoalcase
I add a shadow line beneath the grabs with a sharp #2 pencil.  I also use the pencil to outline reefer doors and related hardware.

Hi Jim,

I'd be really interested in seeing a couple of photos showing that effect.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Nashville, TN area
  • 713 posts
Posted by hardcoalcase on Sunday, March 14, 2021 8:22 PM

Dave,

I've sent you a friend request, as I don't have a means to add pic's on the forums.

Jim

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Monday, March 15, 2021 9:01 PM

hardcoalcase
I've sent you a friend request,

Hi Jim,

I accepted your request. If you send me the pictures I might be able to post them for you.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    July 2010
  • From: Kyoto, JPN
  • 250 posts
Posted by BN7150 on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 7:47 AM

Coors Beer, 36' Billboard Reefer (MDC)

The circular coat of arms was copied from my Atlas O product.

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 10:31 AM

Wow! Changing the herald made a huge difference.

It looks great.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 10:15 PM

hardcoalcase
Since I model the early 1900's, I have a lot of the Roundhouse "Old Timer" cars.  The upgrades that I typically make are: Using mono-filiment 10 lb. fishline (leader line) for the truss rods (.011" represents a scale inch thick steel rod). Adding Tichy turnbuckles to the truss rods. Painting the chassis a brownish-gray (like the wheel wells of your auto). Painting the trucks and wheels various shades of brown. I add a shadow line beneath the grabs with a sharp #2 pencil.  I also use the pencil to outline reefer doors and related hardware.

Here are some of Jim's cars showing the pencil shadow enhancement effect. The photos also shows the truss rod enhancements. Click on the photos to get a good view:

The effects are subtle but they look natural to me when viewed from a distance.

I wonder if Jim could send me a couple of before and after photos.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    May 2014
  • From: Pennsylvania
  • 1,154 posts
Posted by Trainman440 on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 10:37 AM

Wow! I really like the look of these billboard reefers! The subtle upgrades really help improve the look of the model from cheap toys to actual models. 

Thanks for sharing,

Charles

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO

Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440

Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440

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