Large Scale Central

EBT Steel Boxcars

Modeling
#1

In the search for unique rolling stock, I’m interested in the EBT steel boxcar. They have that “built in a backyard from parts I got at the hardware store” look to them. Z channel, angle iron, sheet steel. Nothing really graceful in them, except the end buffers and poling pockets.

Anyway, I’ve found a place that will cut acrylic sides, ends, floor and roof pieces for me, for about $20 a car (depending on quantity). Plastruct Z and angle, some I-beam and channel for the underbody details, and you’ve got a “looks like an EBT boxcar”. Im working on a casting for the end beam, complete with pockets.

Is there anyone else out there interested in going in on an order with us? Right now, Im in for about 10 or so, and Bruce Chandler is in for a handful, but the more we get, the cheaper they are.

Anyone?

#2

Ya know, I was just thinking about building one of these myself. For $20, count me in for one. You need drawings?

Later,

K

#3

I’ll take done too Bob let me knoe the price

#4

Ive got a bunch of drawings here. I’ve sized the pieces out, just need to finalize a few details, and Ill order the basic box up. I’ve got a list of Plastruct part numbers for the frame beams and the Z, too, that Ill get together. Im still waffling on how to do the ends, I may just end up casting the poling pockets, and building the buffer from styrene.

Maybe we should have a build-along. Hmm…

#5

Hmmmm. I’m thinking. One of the ideas going through my mind was to take a set of the ends I requested and make an outside braced composite car…along the lines of the one you posted with the grabiron post…but with the steel ends and superior style door. But a steel one…hmmmm. Geez, gimme 2. We’ll see what comes out of the shop…:smiley:

#6

Bob, my freelance Blacklog Timber RR draws inspiration from the EBT. In my fictitious world, the Blacklog does some interchange with the EBT.

Sounds like I better build (2) two. Just let me know when you need the funds. It’s a great idea, thanks for spearheading this.

#7

Here’s this morning’s figuring. The basic box will be 1/8 acrylic, and the floor 3/16. The box is 33’ long and 7’5" wide, and the floor is a bit longer than that. The ends WONT have the peak cut on them, I’ll make that as a separate casting. If you look at the pictures, the peak sticks out over the end Z channels, so this is a cheap way to get around it.

Note, since the floor is rather thick, the underbody will NOT be too accurate. The floor and framing will be a ‘good enough’, but we need the structural support.

The Plastruct part numbers are as follows:

Inner frame: 90520 1/2" I-Beam
Outer frame: 90537 5/16 Channel
Zee pieces: 90594 3/16 Zee

I’m not sure about the corner angles yet. I’ll have to see which works best when I get the pieces in hand and build the test box.

You’ll also need some assorted styrene sheet or strip, for the rest of the framing, the roofwalk, and other assorted things. Again, ill figure those sizes when I build the first one. I use 3/16 square styrene rod for the roofwalk supports, but you may have a different method.

Anything else I’ve overlooked?

#8

Just chatted with a friend whose not a member here, he’ll take 4 kits.

Later,

K

#9

And my “handful” will really be a half dozen to start. I like boxcars. :wink:

#10

Looks like we’re up to 30 so far. I’ll give it a few more hours, then close it for this pass. If we get more interest, I can put another order together. I’d really like to get this order in this afternoon. It looks like lead-time is about 2 weeks, but I asked for a definate timeframe.

#11

On the subject of the roof peak.

I was originally going to have a resin casting to take care of this, but I may have found a cheaper solution, and Ive asked them for a quote. It looks like they charge $2.50 a minute for laser time, and cuts acrylic at 2" a second. Figure each peak has a bit less than 10" of distance, 20 seconds…carry the 2… about .90 per peak. Hmm…

#12

Bob, please get me together a bill for the 2 steel box cars and the ends for the 4 composite. I might suggest just shipping everything at one time…:slight_smile:

#13

Put me in for 4. Don’t know when I’ll build 'em but I’m going to have a helluva parts box :slight_smile:

Jon

#14

I’ve just started assembling my big acrylic building, and it’s an interesting experience, to say the least. I’m not sure how smooth the pieces are going to be, but I’d recommend looking at the instructional video for “How to Glue Acrylic” over at TAP Plastics: http://www.tapplastics.com/info/video.php (It’s towards the bottom of the page.)

Naturally, they also sell the acrylic cement, or you can get the IPS Weld-On 16 if the surfaces aren’t that smooth. I got both, as well as a funnel and applicator for the acrylic cement. The Weld-On is about the consistency of syrup, so it’s a big change from something like Testor’s in a tube.

Incredible stuff, the acrylic cement. I just put two walls and a floor together and it’s already pretty strong, though they do say it takes 24 hours to really bond.

#15

I is in for 2 if’n you ain’t done ordered 'dem…

thanks

cale

And I like the idea of a build along too!!! It’ll keep me going and prevent me from buggin’ Bruce too much!

#16

Eh, you can’t bug me too much. I’m living this boxcar thing! Let’s see: two steel framed wood sided boxcars, one stamped steel end boxcar with 5 more to go as soon as they arrrive (hey, where’s that mail?) They just keep getting easier. The steel end ones are neat because I don’t screw up the peak.

These will be even neater because everything is cut. Yeah, you’ll have to order some parts and such, but it should go together very quickly.

Some other things you may want to consider besides the parts that Bob already mentioned:

  • wood for the roofwalk. I’ve been using 1/16" x 5/16" strips, but I haven’t sized out the roof walk on the EBT car

  • Strap steps. You can get them from Phil Dippel, or make your own. I have a bunch I got from Don Winter, but not enough for 11 cars.

  • steel wire for the brake wheel. And a brake wheel and pawl. Ozark Miniatures has some sets.

  • brass strip - use this for the strap steps or the bracing for the brake platform.

  • brass rod - for the grab irons

  • styrene strip for the bolsters

  • styrene sheet for the door, and strops for the door detail

  • brake cylinder. I’m not sure I’ll do these or not, as they’re hard to see. I may do like my other cars and just have a generic shape.

  • cement - either the acrylic cement (with applicator) or the Weld-On. I’ve got both and won’t know which to use until I see how smooth the cuts are.

  • for trucks, I’ve been using the Aristo-Delton Classic archbar freight trucks, replacing the wheels with Sierra Valley 24" wheels

  • decide on your favorite coupler. As indicated, I’ve got a bunch of Accucraft that I’ve standardized on. I may mess with the pieces to get it to look right.

  • rivets. Bob and I are still debating the best way to do this. There are lots of rivets. So far, welding is the most attractive option! :wink:

OK, Bob did mention some of these things in an earlier post. I’m trying to build a complete list of everything you need to finish this.

Which brings me to my last question for now.

What color were these??? I’ve seen some reddish ones, and also some silverish. I haven’t decided which color I’ll go with…but I’m sure it will be a color from Krylon or Rustoleum!

#17

As far as color is concerned, with nothing to back me up besides a hunch, I think the grey cars were probably the ones modified to carry water (grey being a MOW color on a lot of RRs, was it for the EBT?), and the standard boxcars were painted some flavor of red. I wonder about the clay cars, too. Hrm…

Re: grab irons, Ive been using 1/16 aluminum welding rod. Cheaper than brass by a long shot, and easier to bend. Check your local hardware store or supply place.

#18

Oh, and re: trucks. I wonder if Phil wont start production of Don Winter’s non-strap Andrews trucks?

#19

Yeah, I just think 1/16 is a bit thick. That’s 1 1/4"…and these grabs look to be under an inch…maybe a 3/4"? (Quick Pic book bottom of p.13).

Or, maybe I’m getting too particular… :wink:

#20

I’ve never seen nor hear any reference to silver or grey box cars on the EBT. To my knowledge, all the box cars were red. (The water cars and clay cars were not dedicated cars–they just carried those commodities when needed.) Krylon’s brown primer is close. I’ll probably finish off my can of American Traditions brown primer. (It’s the color I used on the hoppers and Dolly Varden car).

For trucks, you can also use trucks from the new Bachmann hopper, though I think the wheelbase is 6" too short. Put the Delton/Aristo archbar trucks under the hopper, as those would be prototypical for the first 10, maybe 40 2-bay hoppers.

Later,

K