Building and Bashing Amtrak Equipment

[Rooster]

So I think the last Amtrash car I scratched up or kitbashed was about 5yrs ago so I suppose it’s time to start with a new car to the fleet. This is gonna be a kitbash since the last one was scratched up and besides I just wanna smash the box!

Always wanted some Heritage Baggage in the fleet and so far I only have one which is a 1700 series (kinda my favorite). So with this Aristo baggage and the blessing of “Geno Dailey” and his fantastic reference pics I’m gonna attempt a 10’ rule other one.

That’s all I got.

[Bob_Cope (Curmudgeon at Large)]

Excellent work David. Nice to see you back in the saddle modeling again.

[Rooster]

So apparently I made a ghetto jig to do these and I’ll be damned if I can find it. Perhaps it’s time to clean up the shop.

[Rooster]

So in Amtrak fashion I cut off the lower skirting (for utilitarian access) this is how the car sits with lower skirting cut and at factory height (which I may have to raise up) and not lower in order to mate with my scratchbuilt and LGB stuff.

Note the inward end of the bogies reside inline with the inside edge of the baggage doors. This is no good!

I measured and shifted, drilled/tapped the bogies outward 1" (towards the ends of the car).

Note the bogie on the right shifted outward now aligning it with the center of the door opening. The bogie on the left is still factory.

Both trucks shifted outward. Still not feeling it and might just go to Ro trucks but undecided.

[Rooster]

[JRad (Jon Radder)]

Great to see you back in the saddle! Looking good so far.

[Rooster]

@Rooster

So apparently I made a ghetto jig to do these and I’ll be damned if I can find it. Perhaps it’s time to clean up the shop.

Well, I cleaned up a bit and still couldn’t find it so I spent an hour with some scraps and made a “new and improved” ghetto jig. This one does 4 matched rails per side so 8 total at a time with moveable hold downs and ends.

Yes a few hole are not O/C however they are taped together as a matched set and I can assure you that 90% of the Amtrak baggage cars steps are not O/C either.

Could have made these with styrene a lot quicker (drilling wise) but the first rock they hit they are gone. Learned that a long time ago with the superliners and the $10 of brass is worth the extra effort.

[Rooster]

Still making junk outta junk and working with the Aristo stuff just adding to it and making adjustments.

[Rooster]

Still playing around and figuring things out as I go so I thought I would work on something easy. Have not really had much time to tinker lately.

[Eric_Mueller]

Hmmmm…I will show this to Kid-zilla on the morrow!

[Rooster]

Eric,
I made sure the boy had pretty much all of the “base” materials he needed for Am Critter. Remember structure/basics first and detail parts later. UNLESS it is easier to add the detail parts to the structural part before final assembly if that makes sense.

[Rooster]

Just thinking out loud.

Honestly, this is the first Aristo “Streamliner” I have seriously molested ( I know that sounds filthy). I played with them a bit back in the day but they didn’t suit my liking’s.
However after playing with this car in depth I personally think Lewis did a fantastic job with these cars. Yes, they are toyish I suppose in a sense but they are solid, somewhat basic and designed to run on a 5’ DIAMETER not radii. The man built a small empire with Lionel thinking and sold product.

[JohnM (John Miller)]

We need more Viewliner Sleepers

[Rooster]

[Pete_Lassen]

I came across my 3 car set of SP cars at a swap meet, went home and told the wife about a ( her words “people train” ) and she insisted I go back any buy them. While they don’t look as good as USA proper sized cars , they fit my small layout and I have enjoyed the things I have done to them , now to did at least a coach or 2 and hopefully a baggage car some day, at least one that doesn’t cost an arm, leg and a a few other parts!

[Rooster]

Calling it done on the ends. Thought about modeling a bit more detail and correct pilot however everything else is outta wack. Besides if I was gonna do that I should have just scratched it up to begin with. Gotta keep in mind this is a kitbash not a scratchbuild but so far it’s coming along nicely.

@ Eric,
Note it’s basically simple materials that probably 90% you have on hand.

[Rooster]

One of the biggest issues I have seen with the Aristo Streamliners is they sit too high hence why folks lower them about 1/4". I have lowered them but it creates other issues with car mating. With this kit bash I want to keep the height of the car as it’s perfect for my needs.

So I’m gonna create the illusion that the car is lower by adding 3/8" to the base. I also wanted to be able to pull/slide the middle out so instead of gluing and screwing I opted for pinning and the pins only go into the aluminum about 3/32".

Before and After

I decided to tackle the underside basics. NOTE that I am reusing everything that was on the car from the factory. Just adding to it a bit with a little detail. When I paint I like to paint heavy and thick as it adds to the ambiance and 10’ rule.

I have learned over the years that inside pics do AMTRAK no justice and cannot wait for outside pics of a 10’ rule 1100/1200 series baggage car in the fleet.

It’s been awesome to finally get a little tinker time in the past couple weekends.

[Pete_Lassen]

That is really cool. Might have to copy that when and if I find a decent priced baggage car !

[Eric_Mueller]

@Rooster

Note it’s basically simple materials that probably 90% you have on hand.

Kid-zilla and I are watching and learning!

Eric

[Rooster]

@Pete_Lassen

That is really cool. Might have to copy that when and if I find a decent priced baggage car !

You have just under 3hrs

G Scale Aristocraft ART-32202 B&O Baltimore & Ohio Streamline Baggage...