Large Scale Central

Coach build

Modeling
#41

How does the height/width compare with the AMS J&S coaches and more importantly, the prototypes?

Thanks, Robert

#42

Robert,
there is no comparison to the 1/20.3 scale AMS cars. The Bachmann is built to a ‘compressed’ 1/22.5 scale. I remain building 1/22.5 scale so have no interest in the much larger AMS cars.

       The difference in size between the two brands is staggering.  It would take a lot of useless effort to attempt to make the Bachmann cars anything like approaching 1/20.3 scale.  While the Bachmann cars can be built to 1/22.5 'scale' length,  height and width let them down.  It is the length that interests me,  as increasing the length of the cars,  takes away the 'top heavy' look of the stock mouldings.
#43

Just to fill in some time, I started work on a Denver & Rio Grande construction car, #0460. I do not know the timeline on this car, but definately post-1907. The car looks like a coach was modified with a side entry cargo door, splitting the car into sleeping quarters and a kitchen area. Simple conversion on a coach body.

#44

Refer above posting. Sleeping end compartment windows will most likely be painted on the inside to obscure the interior as I am not inclined to build multiple bunks.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/5zd.JPG)

#45

Commenced yesterday, RGS #252, ex-D&RG #261. The coach was sold to the Rio Grande Southern in 1891. Notable features are the narrow tall windows and that there are fourteen and not the usual thirteen windows and only one toilet cubicle. Roof moulding is from another build. The correct roof moulding for this car is gluing. Once the roof is glued down, then a long thin strip of styrene will be glued below the roofline, hiding the white plastic strips above each window cutout.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/5zf.JPG)

#46

A blast from the past. First is a freelance extended combine built several years ago. Second is a Rio Grande combine also built some years ago. This one I did get around to painting, even if the decals are totally incorrect (I used what I had at the time).

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/6aa.JPG)

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/6ab.JPG)

#47

This weekend’s project is a D&RG #051 construction car. Based on the excellent (for kitbashing) Bachmann centre cupola caboose plus some doors from the Bachmann combine kit. End platforms still require lengthening, plus trussrods and other detail to fit. Overall length of car is 36 foot. Unusual car to model.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/6zaaa.JPG)

#48

And you plan on doing every car in D&RG’s roster ? One heck of an undertaking :slight_smile:

#49

Dave,
the DR&G has such a diverse range of interesting cars. No, I am not constructing ‘every’ car, only those that interest me. Most are happy to run their factory stock 12 window coach/combine/baggage consists, however, I have always preferred a semi-scale look to my trains.

    I like the challenge that kitbashing presents.  The latest build is actually very close to the prototype.  I have added a reasonably accurate interior and extended the end platforms to match the overhang of the roofline.  The letterboard still requires attention at each end to better represent the original.  The queenposts on this car are much closer than most cars (only 5' 8" apart) and so required extra effort to represent this.
#50

And Tim you’re doing a fine job on the ones you’re modeling. I was funning ya about ALL of D&RGs equipment, but I am enjoying what you are showing and think like you it’s nice to have other than stock equipment. :slight_smile:

#51

Project commenced yesterday, D&RG #122 mail car. The car body is made by combining pieces from two B’mann centre cupola cabeese if making baggage car #123, or an extra body required if making the blind end on #122 as I have done. Only the doors were salvaged from the original B’mann baggage car for the body. Very easy project, but having a spares box with extra body pieces certainly helps. Car has a reasonable representation of interior. My latest method of making trussrods is to cut the queenposts and turnbuckles from the standard B’mann trussrod moulding and drill through with a 1.50 mm or 1/16" drill bit. I like to use brass 1/16" rod, but piano wire could be substituted. The removed pieces are then assembled on the wire and the wire is bent to shape and fitted.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/6zax.JPG)

#52

Current project is “Alamosa”, D&RGW #350 in interwar years as a parlour car (not in current Durango & Silverton guise). This is a very trying project in that all the windows need to be removed and then rearranged with a wider upright pillar between each window.

The car had eleven windows on the right side and nine on the left. Even though I am spacing the windows further apart, my overall length is about 2" less than scale body length (42 ft.). Scale height and width remain within a few millimetres of the prototype.

As a trailing car, I assume that the end platform was fitted with railings and gates. Only photograph that I have shows end railing but no gates closed. Clarification needed.

#53

Progress on “Alamosa”. Raw body assembled. Each window must be cut from body, filed to shape and then refitted. This allows the wider upright pillar frame between each window to better represent the proportions of the prototype. Alas, due the sizing of the stock window moulding, true scale length is not possible. On the far end (away from camera) the extension piece for the end platform located icebox is attached. Other side is just the eleven spaced windows.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/7za.JPG)

#54

Progress to date. I did not model the elaborate swivel chairs in the saloon area of the coach, but the car has a reasonable representation of interior. A problem has arisen in that I am unsure if the eight window on the left side was ever blanked out on “Alamosa”. The current guise with the D&S Railroad, “Alamosa” has the eight window in situ as on the 1937 drawings. Model drawings show “Alamosa” with the window blanked out but am unable to locate a period photograph of that side of the car to see if true. “Chama” and “Durango” both had the window blanked, although it seems a smaller window was fitted in the area of the blanked out window. I will stick with my car being “Alamosa” unless I find evidence to disprove. I could just as easily name the car “Durango” or “Chama” as they were very similar cars, derived from the same coach version.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/7zad.JPG)

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/7zab.JPG)

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/7zac.JPG)

#55

Oh no, not the weekend project time again! This time take one and one-half Bachmann centre cupola cabeese and doors and frame from a Bachmann combine or baggage car. We have D&RG Commissary car “C”, built 1882 and converted to baggage/mail car #118 in 1906. Roof moulding still to be finished gluing. Total build time seven hours. Has basic interior.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/7zaf.JPG)

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/7zag.JPG)

#56

Hi Tim,
I have been following your buildlog on the passinger cars. Nice work. The Alamosa you have built has the correct window placement, the cars Chama and Durango had a smaller window next to the number seven window on your car. On the other side Chima omitted the second window from the right front vestibule. This information came from the Colorado Rail Annual #25 Rio Grand Narrow Gauge Varnish. Try to barrow or pick up a copy, Anything you want to know about Rio Grand passinger cars is in the book. Hope this helps

Chuck

#57

Chuck,
many thanks for the information.

#58

Latest project commenced a few days ago is D&RGW #60 RPO in final guise prior withdrawal. Made from half a B’mann combine and a baggage car kit.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/9za.JPG)

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/9zd.JPG)

#59

Tim,
I’m amazed with your tenacity.
How many cars do you have for cannibalizing?
Fantastic work.

#60

John,
for the past year or so, I have been purchasing the ‘cheap’ Bachmann body kits from Al Kramer on eBay. I purchased a few dozen as I knew that I had a lot of cars that I wanted to build. My current ‘current’ project that I started the other day when the RPO was commenced is ‘long’ baggage #111. At 45 foot overall length this also is a nice long car. It takes two baggage car kits to make one long baggage. The beauty is that there is always left over pieces to make into something else. There are still a few more cars that I intend building.

    As far as building goes,  these are fairly easy builds.  I scribe down a planking line on the body at the cut line and then file smooth and glue together with a 0'060" thick styrene strip to bridge the join.  Hardest (most time consuming) is fitting windows to the blank sides.