I bought some Dorfan box cars from a forum member and of course got hooked on these critters. Now I have one boxcar sans a roof and since I really do not want to toss it to scrap I was wondering if anyone has made a roof for these or has a spare? I can paint it so that is not an issue. If you have made one how and where did you get the materials?
I know I am crazy for doing this but.....isn't this better than (insert a vice here)? 
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Jeff
I know MEW made roofs for the caboose, but I do not remember seeing any for a boxcar. My caboose has a MEW roof.
Steve
Who is MEW?
It looks like they are out of business. Any other suggestions?
Jeff
His is back in business, but he no longer sells via his web site. Hennings carries his stuff and I would think others do also, but I have not seen any new releases of Dorfan parts.
Steve
Jeff, FWIW, the Dorfan freight roofs are almost identical to Ives 60 series freight roofs. The significant word here is "almost". The roofs are the exact same length and the center ridge is very close to the same, but the Dorfan roof is 1/8 inch wider than the Ives. As a result the Ives roof doesn't immediately slip easily onto the Dorfan car. I did not try, but it is possible that an Ives roof could be spread enough to go on a Dorfan.
Not sure this helps any, Ives roofs are probably as scarce as Dorfan ones... although maybe there's a greater chance that someone may have reproduced the Ives?
In the photos, Dorfan is the car on the right and bottom.
Jeff, FWIW, the Dorfan freight roofs are almost identical to Ives 60 series freight roofs. The significant word here is "almost". The roofs are the exact same length and the center ridge is very close to the same, but the Dorfan roof is 1/8 inch wider than the Ives. As a result the Ives roof doesn't immediately slip easily onto the Dorfan car. I did not try, but it is possible that an Ives roof could be spread enough to go on a Dorfan.
Not sure this helps any, Ives roofs are probably as scarce as Dorfan ones... although maybe there's a greater chance that someone may have reproduced the Ives?
In the photos, Dorfan is the car on the right and bottom.
Thanks! I was wondering about that so that at least gives me another possibility. What about just finding someone who bends tin? How hard could it be to make one?
Making one without the roof walk would be pretty easy. I need to find my box of Ives junk parts. I do not think I have a roof, but I'll look.
Steve
Making one without the roof walk would be pretty easy. I need to find my box of Ives junk parts. I do not think I have a roof, but I'll look.
Steve
That would be awesome! Thanks!
I would think about buying a Dorfan car on e-bay; I bought 5 in the last 6 months in fair condition (minor dents, paint scratches etc but good enough to operate with a bit of cleaning up and lubrication) for $20 each or less. You might have to strip off the paint and re-paint to match your car. bertiejo
Just compared both. I'm about 80+% sure I could make the Ives roof fit the Dorfan car. Where the sides tuck down and grab the body, the Ives roof rolls under quite a bit, the Doran roof does not roll over as far. Straighten the rolled over part of the Ives roof and it may go on. Don't have a spare roof to play with.
Steve
Just compared both. I'm about 80+% sure I could make the Ives roof fit the Dorfan car. Where the sides tuck down and grab the body, the Ives roof rolls under quite a bit, the Doran roof does not roll over as far. Straighten the rolled over part of the Ives roof and it may go on. Don't have a spare roof to play with.
Steve
I agree; according to my measurement you only need to gain 1/16 of an inch on each side, which isn't much - within the range of tinplate's loose tolerances. I'm not motivated to do it with mine because I value my Ives 64 herald box cars more than the Dorfan, and all my Dorfans have roofs anyway. But I don't think it would take much to get it to fit. One of Joe Mania's Ives roofs for ten bucks sounds like the way to go, They come unpainted. Re-shape it a little and get it to fit before you paint it, then spray paint it to match the Dorfan car.
Let us know how it turns out!
Just compared both. I'm about 80+% sure I could make the Ives roof fit the Dorfan car. Where the sides tuck down and grab the body, the Ives roof rolls under quite a bit, the Doran roof does not roll over as far. Straighten the rolled over part of the Ives roof and it may go on. Don't have a spare roof to play with.
Steve
I agree; according to my measurement you only need to gain 1/16 of an inch on each side, which isn't much - within the range of tinplate's loose tolerances. I'm not motivated to do it with mine because I value my Ives 64 herald box cars more than the Dorfan, and all my Dorfans have roofs anyway. But I don't think it would take much to get it to fit. One of Joe Mania's Ives roofs for ten bucks sounds like the way to go, They come unpainted. Re-shape it a little and get it to fit before you paint it, then spray paint it to match the Dorfan car.
Let us know how it turns out!
Sounds good. I will give him a call to order one.
Sent an email to order.
Jeff, I did check the junk box and no roof as I suspected.
Steve
somebody was just selling repro Ives 60 series rooves on Ebay last month. 6-1/8 and 6-1/4 inch for 60 series and 6 inch for the 50 series. Old Rulon Taylor inventory, I believe and cheap too. Unpainted of course. vendor was 763hudson
I have AF "O" roofs in stock. Measures 2 1/8" wide X 6 1/2" long. They are painted gloss black, and are $ 8.00 each.
Ives roofs ( MEW ), 9" X 2 1/8" wide are $12.00 each, unptd. or red primer.
"the Old Man" 
Jeff
I just snagged an original off the Bay this morning.
Steve
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