Does anyone know of a source for an o gauge open-air observation car which shortline scenic/tourist railroads such as the Strasburg (PA) or the New Hope and Ivyland (also PA) railroads often have? I'm thinking about a car like the type that was in the film, "Hello Dolly" Has such a car ever be made for 2-rail or or 3-rail o gauge?
Did you know of anyone who's kitbashed or custom made their own?
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The only one I have seen in O-Gauge was done by Forum member Scale Rail Don for the Milwaukee Road. It really was a terrific customization.
PTC,
Maybe just maybe, Don will read this and post a few photos.
Boy-O-Boy!
I built a semi-open car based on one owned by the Niles Canyon Railroad in California.
My version:
Kitbashed from an MTH Railking passenger car:
Very popular with the locals:
A similar kitbash also produced a unique work train car.
Jim
The "Hello Dolly" car is at Strasburg, we rode in it this summer.
You might be able to modify a coach fairly easily by cutting out the window stip and leaving the rest of the sides intact. Then using wire and stip styrene to make the frams and bars.
Scotie
Happy Pappy, I am reading this but my computer is down and can't get to my photos. I'm writing this with I pad. Maybe someone knows how to get to my old posts. Don
I will look for the photos Don. I remember this project very well.
We both have ongoing computer issues. Mine crashed last Thursday. Fortunately we have a back up.
Don,
Thank you! Your response is appreciated. I cannot travel through Niles Canyon without thinking of you. Glad to hear your computer is taking a vacation. To the sun and surf.. Have one for me.
"Pappy"
Happy Pappy,
I found some pics and an old post by Scale Rail (Don) on the Milwaukee Road open-air passenger car that he built. Here's what he said:
"Found it! This was a new/old kit of a open platform passenger car produced by LeBelle a number of years ago. Milwaukee had summer open platform observation cars on their electrified line over the Cascades. No one has ever made one so I bought the LeBelle kit on E-bay and modified it. There are working marker lights and Atlas trucks. By the way LeBelle kits are fun to build and there are tons of them on E-bay. I'm going to modify a baggage car next into a powered overhead repair work engine. The first shot is what the kit should have looked like, the second is my observation. Don"
Hope this helps. Matt
I always liked the New Marx Tarantula RR cars. The graphics on the Summer Car are humorous.
Steve
Matt & Don,
Both of you are the best friends a person could only hope for.
"Pappy"
The "Hello Dolly" car is at Strasburg, we rode in it this summer.
You might be able to modify a coach fairly easily by cutting out the window stip and leaving the rest of the sides intact. Then using wire and stip styrene to make the frams and bars.
Scotie
I've ridden in that car over many years (at least 14 times). I'm sure your method was used to make the actual car, but using a old observation car rather than a coach for the "Dolly" car. The other open cars (I think 3) used a coach.
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