Kit-bashing/making cars

What's your goal???? For me I go with the 'tlar' method. (that looks about right) So I'd find a baggage that is close...detail and paint and be happy. But you could go full bore....use the roof and floor of a car and scratch build the sides from metal, plastic or even card stock......to make an exact copy. You decide.....

You need a good photo of the prototype, and then look for mfd. baggage car that is a match that suits you (Lionel, MTH, Williams, or?)  Or you can look for a Walthers baggage kit and bash it to duplicate your prototype.

Nathan,  how much scratch building have you done ?   It is a long painful process to end up with a good likeness of what you are seeking.  You start with hundreds of photos and measurements.  Photos with tape measures in them, etc, etc.  I sweat just thinking about it.

     My vote is find the closest model you can find and using your photos paint it to match your prototype. You can add any custom details you wish, such as under frame details and perhaps some of the items you can see ,and photograph, through the open doors.  I have received permission in the past from the crew of some of the Locomotives to climb all over locos and tenders to make detail photos.  Also found it helps to have a typed up release of liability form you sign and hand them.  Norfolk Southern ran a steam shop at Norris Yard in Birmingham where N&W 611, 1218,   Southern 4501 and T&P 610 received major repairs or were tore down to the frame for total rebuilds and I was allowed for years to roam the shop making photos of the locos and progress of the rebuild.  BTW;  765 as well as C&O 2716 Kanawha / Berkshire, the CP 2839 Royal Hudson and SP 4449 have been in that shop.  Was a sad day here when they closed the steam shop around 96.  I think the last time they ran 611 out of Bham was December of 95.  I chased it to Chattanooga and got 20 or so good shots.    J

Thank you JOHNACTION, AMCDAVE, and COLORADO HIRAILER, I have never done scratch building, so I will think about this weekend and go from there on what to do next.

Nathan B posted:

Thank you JOHNACTION, AMCDAVE, and COLORADO HIRAILER, I have never done scratch building, so I will think about this weekend and go from there on what to do next.

Yep. Walk before you run. Taking on a relatively big project as a first effort is often a sure road to frustration and giving up. Learn your skills, learn your materials, learn your tastes and then later attack The Big One (or, at least, A Bigger One).

Scratch-bashing (or just painting and decaling) is a good place to start.