Ambroid O Scale O-17 Erie-Susquehanna 50 Ton 3 Bay Hopper Kit

You would be better off using Weaver or Atlas trucks with a flat bolster. They will ride very high with Lionel's raised bosters. Also some of the underbody detail and air hoses may have to be left off to allow for the 3 rail flanges.

Pete

Pete, thank you for the information, it is very helpful since I have never built these before. Do you have any advice in building these that may help? 

Marty

I agree, the cars will sit high with Lionel trucks.    However, another option would be to replace the bolster that comes with the kit with a shallower one you fabricate out of wood or styrene.

As for advice, with all wooden kits, if they are models of steel side cars, it helps a lot to treat the wood sides with sanding sealer and sand them a few times before assembly.    That way you get them to have a smooth steel look.   If it is a model of a wood side car, you can just paint it and let the wood grain show through.

I have used a good wood glue and just was patient to let it set up at each step before moving on.    This draws the project out over some time, but gives a sturdy body.

The most important things for operation are to get the holes for the truck mounting centered on the car and to keep the body square during assembly.    Every thing else is the "detail" part that adds to looks but not operation.

They are "craftsman" kits, but really work out fine if follow the instructions and work slowly.

On my later caboose kits, I modified the model to have a removable roof so I could glaze the windows after painting.

PRRjim, thank you for the advice it is much appreciated, I am looking forward to the build. 

Marty 

If you finish this kit - and I mean finish, from soup to nuts, you will truly have become a "model railroader". It's worth doing. The advice on the trucks above is good.  

Thanks, D500 

Thank you all for the responses, does any member have pictures of the car kits I have finished?

Ambroid O Scale O-25 B & O 3 Bay Steel Hopper Extended Top Kit, 

Ambroid O Scale O-9 Pennsylvania 100 Ton 2 Bay Hopper Kit. 

 Quality Craft Models O Scale Kit 520 50’ TT Flat with 40’ Mechanical Trailer Kit

Ambroid O Scale O-11 GN Airslide Hopper Kit

Ambroid O Scale O-23 Golden Loaf Flour Air Slide Hopper Kit

I used to use yellow woodworking glue. Very strong but takes a while to set. I have switched to Aileens fast grab tacky glue., purple label. It too is pretty strong but sets up in about five minutes.

Also, you will need a square. A 6" one is good and and also some machined steel blocks about 1" square to hold the corners at 90 degrees while the glue sets.

Micro Mark and others have a metal table with magnetic blocks to do this but a piece of plate glass and blocks will do.

Pete

Thank you, Pete,