New to O-Scale Proto: 48 Box-Car First Attempt

Beautiful work.  Please continue to share your other builds!

A beauty!

Well done, if you're going Proto 48 you cannot fail with any of the Intermountin's. If I was to go fine scale in your chosen era I'd limit most all of my freight equipment to IM san custom builds. Opinion,  they are works of art and satisfying to assemble.

What road do intend to model your GP in?

@atlpete posted:

A beauty!

Well done, if you're going Proto 48 you cannot fail with any of the Intermountin's. If I was to go fine scale in your chosen era I'd limit most all of my freight equipment to IM san custom builds. Opinion,  they are works of art and satisfying to assemble.

What road do intend to model your GP in?

Thanks!

I am leaning toward an SP Black Widow scheme.....but that may change.  I am still collecting a lot of aftermarket parts to replace the plastic details.....they are beautiful and very well done but way too delicate for any kind of handling.... As you are aware Proto: 48 is sort of take what you can get where you find it pursuit so to speak....   I already have an eclectic collection of equipment......  a Southern Car and Foundry MKT box, brass Santa Fe caboose, and an absolutely amazing wood-side gondola from Glacier Park Models...... also some of the older wood craftsman kits.  Looking at a possible scratch build of an SP caboose as well.....that may dictate the GP9 scheme ...although Santa Fe is possible too....  you can see where that thought pattern is going.....   why not one of each!!!????  )

@GG1 4877 posted:

Beautiful work.  Please continue to share your other builds!

 

Thanks!!!!

Thanks for sharing your work. I love seeing this type of stuff.

One of my favorites.  I rode in an SP caboose like that, painted bright red and lettered St L I M & S.  It has since been repainted and placed on display in Benson, Ariz.

Very very nice. By the way , should you wish to blacken the truck springs, Neo Lube will do it without effecting the springs like paint will.

Ron H

@Ron H posted:

Very very nice. By the way , should you wish to blacken the truck springs, Neo Lube will do it without effecting the springs like paint will.

Ron H

Thanks Ron.....have heard that but have not yet tried it.....

Regards

Bill  (AZBill)

Very nice Bill!

Always good to see someone actually building models,

Hello, could you elaborate on the shapeways ends mentioned? Are they custom made parts?Thanks,Scott.

@scott5011 posted:

Hello, could you elaborate on the shapeways ends mentioned? Are they custom made parts?Thanks,Scott.

Hi Scott:

The ends mentioned are a set of Murphy ends printed with a 3-D printer by Shapeways.  The link for the Murphy ends on Shapeways is:  https://www.shapeways.com/prod...5&li=marketplace

Be aware that the ends can be used as is from Shapeways but a better result can be had by making a set of molds and casting the 3-D printed ends in a suitable resin material.  See photo #1 below:  Left is an old Chooch Metal end and the re-cast version below.... Center: The Murphy end and Right: a Proto: 48 7/8 End for a USRA Boxcar and the re-cast version below.  Here is the link for the USRA end:  https://www.shapeways.com/prod...2157039&li=shops

Be aware that the USRA end is sold one at a time....it was intended to be re-cast.  You could buy two and use them if you wanted to.  However, be aware that flat pieces like these have a tendency to warp after being printed.  I dipped my originals in some near boiling water and laid them on a flat counter top to straighten them before I re-cast them.  Once re-cast I  sanded the back side smooth and laminated a sheet of .020 Evergreen styrene to the back.  This facilitates using regular liquid styrene cement in the build up process.

Photo(s) #2 and #3 are the modified O Scale San Juan Car with the re-cast ends and Protocraft details added..... I added the polling pockets after I cast the ends.

To re-cast the ends I used the basic entry-level kit from Smooth-on....  I have cast quite a few ends and other details...this kit really works well.  It contains all you need to cast parts.....you only have to build a suitable mold-box.

Photo #4 are some of the molds that I made for casting the ends.....

Let me Know if you have other questions.....

Regards

Bill   (AZBill)

Very nice work...

Mark in Oregon 

@Strummer posted:

Very nice work...

Mark in Oregon 

Thanks Mark.......

the IM 1937 ARA car was a specific prototype as the kit comes.    I am curious as to what the prototype is for the modifications you made to the car?  

@prrjim posted:

the IM 1937 ARA car was a specific prototype as the kit comes.    I am curious as to what the prototype is for the modifications you made to the car?  

As far as I know....there isn't one  )

But it sure looks good......