Large Scale Central

Raritan River Rail Road SIECO Boxcar

Modeling
#1

Just before its demise, the Raritan River leased from U.S. Leasing 100 boxcars from SIECO (Southern Iron & Equipment Company - I had to look that up). There has never been any of these produced in G Scale although several railroads had them. Soooo, I found this at the ECLSTS:

I attempted to remove the paint using my air eraser, and learned two things:

  1. White paint was applied twice as thick as black

  2. I should have attacked the paint at a very shallow angle

As you can see from these two pictures, I held the air eraser too vertical. It attacked the red finish. I thought if I was careful, I could use what appeared to be a solid red plastic car. I was wrong:

So I had to paint it red anyway! Fortunately, one of the five shades of red I had matched fairly well. I sprayed a nice gloss red upon which I affixed the Stan Cedarleaf Decals (blantant plug).

Enjoy the final product, I am very happy with it (and that’s what counts), it is a fair representation of the 50’ SIECO boxcar.

Lou Luczu

Historian

Raritan River Rail Road Historical Society

#2

Nice repaint Lou

#3

I thought you were in trouble with the rough surface left when the lettering came off but the end product sure looks crisp. Now will you dirty it up?

#4

Nice work, Lou!

#5

Looks good!

#6

Nice Lou.

#7

No dirt! This is fresh from the paint shops!

Although the trucks look too plastic-y. They need some work, plus I want to add metal wheels.

#8

Lou. nice job… looks great…

#9

Looks good Lou!

#10

Thanks everybody!

#11

Nice job!

Whats an “air eraser” and who makes that model?

Terry

#12

Got it at Harbor Freight Tools with a 25 per cent off coupon. The box says “Air Eraser Kit”. I had never heard of it until I went to a decalling seminar.

Then go to your favorite big box store for a bag of baking soda, I think about 7 pounds. Or keep using the expired ones from your frig.

#13

So is it pretty much like a baking soda sandblaster?

Terry

#14

Wow, Lou!!! That worked out really well.
For awhile it started to look like a disaster, but you sure pulled the fat out of the fire!
Do you recommend the air eraser, assuming one gets a little practise with it ???

#15

Sorry guys, I have been on the road and visiting the kids.

Terry: Well, yeah.

I do, John. You have to be VERY careful if the item has a different basecoat underneath the color, you are trying to save. Too aggressive blasts down to the usually contrasting color underneath.

I did forget one step. After I showed the really rough blasted finish, I used a 4000 grit liquid with a rag to even the surface a bit. It evens the color some, too.