Here’s my favorite custom built car:
(http://i.imgur.com/JckB8.jpg)
A larger photo can be seen here: [url=
(http://i.imgur.com/FCdwC.jpg)
]Silver Vista[/url]
All great builds. I’ll post some pics when I get off work.
Mik, if you have anymore pics of that Mallet, I’d like to see them. Or, if you just want to mail the mallet to me…
Terry
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/paps101line/_forumfiles/dynoshack.jpg)
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/paps101line/_forumfiles/Gondola2.jpg)
Terry, abbreviated build log is here: http://www.the-ashpit.com/mik/mallet.htm BTW Terry Burr is my aunt’s maiden name… I just hope your middle name isn’t Ina Marie too! 
Since I’m posting anyway, here are a couple more builds: board on board South Penn Oil style pump house w/ complete interior
(http://www.the-ashpit.com/mik/P2190019.JPG)
board on board Pennsylvania Standard oil derrick (unfinished)
(http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp52/steamnut1917/derrick/P2230003.jpg)
a wainwright’s shop
(http://www.the-ashpit.com/mik/P5140005.JPG)
Russell type log cars and caboose
(http://www.the-ashpit.com/P2190001.JPG)
Hope these aren’t too boring
More great looking custom builds. Keep em coming I’m getting inspired to do some more of my own!
Todd
I have more for you! Cabeese
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee259/smcgill_pics/IMGP0024.jpg)
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee259/smcgill_pics/IMGP0032.jpg)
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee259/smcgill_pics/Spring2010001jpg-1.jpg)
Flat car
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee259/smcgill_pics/000_0697.jpg)
Sean
Hi all,Really enjoying this thread. For me this is what the hobby is all about, building your own individual and sometimes unique rolling stock and buildings. Some really great stuff shown so far I hope all ya’all will keep adding to it. In keeping with the intent of the original post here are a few “one of a kind” cars that run on the Shasta Pacific/South Fork Timber Co. lines. These are some of my early efforts, 1998 through about 2002 when I was first getting started in garden railroading. I have taken current pictures because it is way to much effort to try and dig original pictures out of the disc archives. My first large scale project in 1998 when I got my first Bachmann Shay. I built 4 of these log cars in 1:20 scale even though I used Bachmann 1:22 scale trucks and wheels, not much choice back in the day. Scratch built except for trucks, couplers, and a few things like NBW’s and brake wheels. The brake cylinders are made from a piece of plastic sprinkler pipe, an electric wire nut and a copper compression fitting. I really thought these cars were cool looking behind my Shay. In fact they still do look pretty good although not very prototypical.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/rick_marty/_forumfiles/RRupdatefile/oldbuild1.jpg)
My favorite little railcar. It started life as a NorthEast Narrow Gauge Kit. But when I got the kit it was way to clunky for my liking so I rebuilt almost all of it using some of the original parts and plans as patterns. The motor and gearbox, grill and headlights, and the cab sides and roof (size extended) are about the only original parts.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/rick_marty/_forumfiles/RRupdatefile/oldbuild2.jpg)
In the woods of the West and North West the logging trains usually had a fire patrol following along to check for and put out any spot fires started by the locomotives. That is what I built this car for. However the boys down at the shops have named this little jewel “Flattery” based on the fact that flattery will usually get you nowhere.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/rick_marty/_forumfiles/RRupdatefile/oldbuild3.jpg)
This rail truck started life in about 2001 as an Aristo motor block and an 1:18 scale 34’ Ford die-cast pickup from Costco bought for the princly sum of about 8 bucks. You have seen it most recently in the Wainwright Mining District thread where I rebuilt it for battery RC control.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/rick_marty/_forumfiles/RRupdatefile/oldbuild4.jpg)
A completely scratch built water tank car similar to what was used on the Virginia and Truckee railroad. trucks, couplers and a few detail parts from manufacturers.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/rick_marty/_forumfiles/RRupdatefile/oldbuild6.jpg)
My first try at using Vinyl lettering from a sign shop, not to bad.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/rick_marty/_forumfiles/RRupdatefile/oldbuild5.jpg)
A fuel tanker for my logging line. Manufactures parts; trucks, couplers, a few detail parts and a Bachmann 1:22 scale tank. The rest is scratched.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/rick_marty/_forumfiles/RRupdatefile/oldbuild7.jpg)
For those that don’t know these kinds of tankers were taken into the woods to refuel Donkeys and locomotives on site. They could be used for gravity feeding fuel (in warm weather) or by pumping with a steam pump. The car was also equipped with a steam heater to heat the fuel oil for easier flow.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/rick_marty/_forumfiles/RRupdatefile/oldbuild8.jpg)
Keep posting your work, I’m loving this. Rick
Rick, I really like that little fire patrol railtruck! Is it battery or track powered? How is it controlled? I’ve been wanting to build a small railtruck, and a railcar, but haven’t yet worked out how to make it work while still keeping it “slim”.
Virtually everything on my railroad is customized to one extent or another… Here are some of the more extensively-rebuilt pieces on the line… Passenger Cars: EBT Combine #18 (1885 Billmeyer & Small) - scratchbuilt
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/combine18/passengerthree4.jpg)
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/combine18/passengerinterior.jpg)
EBT Business car #20 - kitbashed from Bronson-Tate kit (or the plastic equivalent offered by MLS at one time)
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/Orbisonia20/orbisonia51.jpg)
Cabooses: EBT caboose #26 (1905, EBT shops) - scratchbuilt body on Accucraft flat car
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/caboose26/2610.jpg)
EBT caboose #27 (1907, EBT shops) - scratchbuilt
(http://home.comcast.net/~kcstrong/trr/pics/rollingstock/Caboose27.jpg)
EBT caboose #2 “Panic” (c. 1874, EBT shops) - scratchbuilt
(http://home.comcast.net/~kcstrong/trr/pics/rollingstock/Panic.jpg)
Freight: EBT Box #123 (c. 1875 Billmeyer & Small - scratchbuilt
(http://home.comcast.net/~kcstrong/trr/pics/rollingstock/Box123.jpg)
EBT Flat #50 (c. 1900 EBT shops) - scratchbuilt
(http://home.comcast.net/~kcstrong/trr/pics/rollingstock/Flat50.jpg)
EBT Box #150 (1912 EBT shops) - scratchbuilt
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/box150/box150finished34.jpg)
EBT “Dolly Varden” #57 (c. 1900 EBT shops) - scratchbuilt
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/DollyVarden/Dolly09.jpg)
EBT “Fishbelly” steel flat #73 (1902 EBT shops) - scratchbuilt
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/projects/flatfinished.jpg)
EBT 9-ton Wood Hopper (c. 1873 Billmeyer & Small) re-sided Delton wood hopper
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/WoodHopper/Hopper18.jpg)
Tuscarora Valley “Market Car” #207 (builder unknown) - scratchbuilt
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/TVRR207/TVRR20708.jpg)
Locomotives: EBT #1 (Baldwin 1873) - LGB chassis, boiler, cab, and other details from the scrap box or scratchbuilt
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/EBT1/EdRob06.jpg)
EBT #3 (Baldwin 1873) - Barry’s Big Trains chassis, modified Bachmann 2-6-0 boiler and cab
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/EBT3/EBT329.jpg)
EBT 3rd #2 “Dinky” (Alco 1903) - Bachmann 0-4-0
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/EBTDinky/EBT3rd229.jpg)
Tuscarora RR #1 (Porter 1884) - Scratchbuilt on Accucraft Ruby boiler/chassis
(http://home.comcast.net/~kcstrong/trr/pics/TRR1/asnColes.jpg)
Tuscarora RR #2, c. 1913 (Baldwin 1881) - Bachmann 2-6-0 with scratchbuilt cab and boiler
(http://home.comcast.net/~kcstrong/trr/pics/TRR2/TRR2portrait.jpg)
Tuscarora RR #2 c. 1927 (Baldwin 1881) - Bachmann 2-6-0 with scratchbuilt boiler, Bachmann cab, scratchbuilt tender
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/TRR2/TRR221.jpg)
Tuscarora RR #3 (Baldwin 1908) - Bachmann 2-8-0
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/TRROps/TRROps03.jpg)
Tuscarora RR #10 (Alco 1927) - Bachmann 2-8-2 (Okay, technically I did very little besides new paint on this one…)
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/TRR10/TRR1002.jpg)
Tuscarora Valley RR #2 (T.H. Paul, unknown date) - Scratchbuilt on Accucraft Ruby boiler/chassis
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/TVRR2/firemansidefront.jpg)
Tuscarora Valley RR #5 (Baldwin 1877) - Bachmann 4-4-0
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/TVRR5/tvrr533.jpg)
And a few Bachmann 2-8-0 conversions I’ve done for others: Woodland Railway #14 (“downsized” to 1:22.5)
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/WRY7/WRY717.jpg)
D&RGW #350
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/drg350/drgw35018.jpg)
Later, K
Buildings I have plenty of scratch built. Rolling stock, not so much. Seven log cars, a tool car, a few flatcars and a snowplow. All the engines have had class lights installed and real coal loads added to the tenders. The 10 wheelers have had air tanks added and rear headlights moved.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/July%202011/K27run006.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/March%202012/MarchOp007.jpg)
Delores Depot
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/March%202012/marchrun014.jpg)
In this picture, all except the brick Bank Building and water tank were scratch built.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/March%202012/marchrun017.jpg)
Mancos Depot
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Mancos/realign024.jpg)
Hesperus Depot
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/Hesperus/orderboard02.jpg)
In this picture, the engine house, turntable, coaling tower, depot and sand house are all scratch built.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/Layout%20Views/view010.jpg)
oh, almost forgot… Bachmann Rail Truck that had a canvas cover added to the back
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/kenbrunt/_forumfiles/railtruck012.jpg)
Wow,
You all are making me feel woefully inadequate 
Ralph
Ralph Berg said:Just consider it an "Incentive"..........;)
Wow, You all are making me feel woefully inadequate :D Ralph
Ralph Berg said:I've seen some awfully nice stuff come out of your shops. Your passenger cars, caboose, celebrity cars etc. are all great custom jobs and worthy of being displayed in this thread.
Wow, You all are making me feel woefully inadequate :D Ralph
Thanks for the kind words Jon, but custom built and custom painted are not one and the same But I do have a couple of things to show. The first is the infamous Roosterboose. This was a rush job for ECLSTS a few years ago. I think it started with a Buddy L flat. The caboose cabin is from an Aristo steel caboose.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/workcaboose056Medium.jpg)
I also scaled up an Aristo 1/29th 0-4-0 to 1/24th scale using a Delton C-16 cabin. I’m going to do this again, but better, when I get a hold of another 0-4-0. Next time, the tender will get up-scaled too. Ralph
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/0-4-0030Medium.jpg)
Ralph Berg said:Don't take the thread title too seriously. If it is unique to your RR in any way I think it fits in this thread.
Thanks for the kind words Jon, but custom built and custom painted are not one and the same ;)
And speaking of this thread - Great idea! I really enjoy looking at what others have done.
I knew this would be a great topic to explore. There sure is a abundance of talent out there as posted here and I know there is alot more guys and gals doing amazing things on their little empires. Here is a few more of my custom builds to share collected in one photo. The rotary plow, the custom paint on the GP38 and the 4’ long covered bridge in the background.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/capecodtodd/_forumfiles/RotaryGP38Bridge.jpg)
and another: my first attempt at a custom painted boxcar with my company name and slogan.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/capecodtodd/_forumfiles/officetrain_001.JPG)
Keep up the good work and keep posting. Todd
Todd,
Rename the file and upload it again. I think it is the + causing the problem.
Ralph
I’ve made a lot of things for my railroad. The rotary snowplow and the Challenger were great fun and work great.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/gunjeep444/_forumfiles/Rot11.JPG)
Challenger was made using two Pacific drives. I made the centipede tender also.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/gunjeep444/_forumfiles/ChallDone1.JPG)
Like everyone else I seem to have more half completed projects than finished projects. This is a rather large (6’x7’) feed mill complex that I have been working off and on for over 3 years now.
(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/41007_433631716911_838651911_4992957_2305788_n.jpg)
And here is a stalled GN snow dozer project.
(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/541856_10150706723706912_838651911_9603118_1247234832_n.jpg)
Hopefully when I get done with graduate school I can get back to serious modeling and have time to finish these two custom projects. As I’m trying to model a specific prototype, period and location(s) a majority of my railroad will end up being kitbashed or scratchbuilt. Craig Edit: How come my picture showed up when I posted originally, and now it’s a blank spot? Fixed it again, see how long this lasts.
Craig Townsend said:Nope, you'll be working double shifts to pay your loan debt then.
Hopefully when I get done with graduate school I can get back to serious modeling and have time to finish these two custom projects. Craig
maybe when you’re 79 and can ‘afford’ to retire