I’m in the process of redecorating a string of RDC cars to resemble the Boston MBTA’s early coaches from the 1980s. The “T” inherited quite the string of RDCs but many were beyond their self-powered life and required being drawn by locomotives.

Eventually the T started sending out the RDCs to Boise Idaho for rebuilding into Push-Pull commuter rail service. With push-pull cabs, the T could then control their new F40PH locomotives in push mode. Eventually the T phased out the RDC cars in favor of Pullman Comets (later Bombardier). Several of the RDC rebuilds made their way down to Metro North and now reside on the Grand Canyon RR. These cars had a more extensive rebuild, resulting in the removal of the roof top radiator vents.

Other RDC rebuilds retained their roof top humps and many of these have made their way to New Hampshire on the Hobo, and Winnipesaukee Scenic RR. Several are in service in scenic rail service as table cars and several remain in service.

I will be modeling the latter version (with humps), fully decorated in MBTA paint.

There are still two pf the MBTA Budd cars on property at the BET. You can see them under the expressway if you take the orange line northbound.

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?2008081202415915587.jpg:bysearch:boise+rdc:SEARCHTYPE=SIMPLE&PAGE=1&BOOL=ALL&SEARCHSTRING=boise+rdc

Above is a nicely restored RDC being used as a table car on the Hobo RR in Lincoln, NH.

Below are stored Boise Budds in the Lincoln yard.

Http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?2009120820111518401.jpg:bysearch:rdc:SEARCHTYPE=SIMPLE&PAGE=16&BOOL=ALL&SEARCHSTRING=rdc

http://youtu.be/HLcHEQ6ybEU

Found an interesting way to hide the lettering on the front of these ! Aluminum tape!

(http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L3QlPctrZbQ/VGFgglifmMI/AAAAAAAACJk/Tuc5nEZJe7Y/s512/IMG_0219-1.jpg)

Hi Bob,

That’s right, I forgot about them! I seem to remember hearing the T is using them for some sort of storage purposes.

(http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZNX1hvcKTTE/VGIOHeP2k7I/AAAAAAAACKE/QKyyZX8rzXk/s512/IMG_0221-1.jpg)

Turns out you can also make long strips of aluminum tape to hide the side lettering. I make the strips oversize and then cut them along the fluting with a sharp hobby knife. I may be adding Boston and Maine lettering on a couple of them to suggest they were former B&M cars. I think the T liked to hold onto their heritage a bit as evident by the cars in the hobo RR yard.

(http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BYMoBR575zk/VGIOCPF6TPI/AAAAAAAACJ8/XAsXil0OMA0/s576/IMG_0220.JPG)

You can texture the tape to look like it has rivets by using a pounce wheel of some type. Also can scribe lines in it to sink in, or from the back to stick out. Can make ribbed coaches also. Nashua brand tape works best, it’s twice as thick as the cheap stores tape.

Good tips folks. Later RJD

no need to waste the tape the lettering will come right off with 90% alcohol on the aluminum

richard

Really Richard? that’s good to know. I have a diner that needs a change of identity.

Richard Beverly said:

no need to waste the tape the lettering will come right off with 90% alcohol on the aluminum

richard

At first reading, I thought you said 90 proof alcohol. My mind must be in a time warp.

Regardless, thanks to all for the tips.

Pat

90 proof alcohol has better uses, then removing lettering from passenger cars.

Hi Richard. Thanks for the tip! Do you think it would work on the car ends as well?

Here’s my latest progress. I only have one car completed. As you can see the MBTA purple is a bit darker than what the T was using back in the 1980s. However, in looking at current commuter rail cars, the color seems to be very close.

If the color continues to bother me, I will scrap the purple in favor of a Kelly Green stripe to match my Rockwall Canyon scheme (note my Avatar). I would also do the F40PHin green /silver too.

(http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-keqkRWt07kc/VGf79vvfFGI/AAAAAAAACKc/R4UfvL5CHYY/s512/IMG_0225.jpg)

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?2014011923053520409.jpg:bysearch:f40ph:SEARCHTYPE=SIMPLE&PAGE=3&BOOL=ALL&SEARCHSTRING=f40ph

Older comet cars above showing a very faded pupel, nearly pink.

new MBTA coaches with a very dark purple stripe below.

Http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?201411120052093003.jpg:bysearch:mbta:SEARCHTYPE=SIMPLE&PAGE=1&BOOL=ALL&SEARCHSTRING=mbta

Looking good Jeff.

Jeff it worked on mine the ends where like chrome plated. i changed a seashore to a T

richard

Jeff, personally, I think the Budd came out great…

Jeff i like what you have done don’t you thank that it will fade lighter?

Richard

Hi guys thanks for the words of encouragement!

I really need to make a firm decision on the color choice soon, as I hope to begin work on the F40PH soon.

Richard I like what you’ve done with the B&M/ MBTA Budd!