I suppose the final test of any scratchbuilt freight car is whether it stands up to or even exceeds  ready-to-run cars in terms of the level of detail. After working on this boxcar for months, naturally, I’m biased. It’s a poor photo I know, making it hard to compare the two but I like the proportions of the car. They seem spot on next to the hopper. Today I finished the crossover platforms and think it’s finally time for primer. The uncoupling levers and tack boards will be installed after painting and weathering. The door hardware is another matter. I thought I had a set but no. I’m looking at the options.

Is the car perfect? Hardly but perfection was never the goal.

TMC_012_Comparison_00_FB

Regards,
Mike

7 Comments

  1. Trevor

    Well, I think it looks perfect – and it gets extra marks for being scratch-built. Nice job, my friend!
    – Trevor (Port Rowan in 1:64)

  2. gene48

    Mike
    The car looks good in bare material. Are you using brass shim stock to create the ripple effect on the sheet metal?

    Gene

  3. mike

    Gene,
    The car is skinned with 0.005″ brass sheet over a styrene core. Any rippling effects were accidental.

    Mike

  4. mike

    Thank you Trevor!

  5. Simon

    What adhesive did you use?

    Simon

  6. mike

    Simon,

    Metal to plastic used thick gel CA. Plastic to plastic was regular liquid styrene cement.

    Mike

  7. Simon

    Thanks, Mike.

    Simon.