Manny - I do not remember if you mentioned this in an earilier post .... Do you "weight" your builds before closing them up? BTW .. nice work!
Sherrel, et al, Once the basic frame of the end blocks, floor, and roof are glued together, and the truss rods are strung, the first thing that gets affixed depending on whether a boxcar or refrigerator car is the end sheathing. In this case, a boxcar end sheathing comes first. Once the end sheathing is affixed and dry, I then glue one side of the side sheathing to the frame. Once that is dry, the car resembles a bowl. Since this is a 36' car, that measures out 5 1/4", this means that the car should weigh 3.5 ounces. That's one ounce, plus .5 ounces every 1/2 inch of the car. This is the NMRA standard for HO Scale. I use #4 .240 Buckshot for weight. I use two liquid medical cups and fill each equally until I reach the required weight. I will then, staring against the end block, place each buckshot ball in rows until they are expended on that side. I then coat them with Stick Fast CA glue. I repeat the same for the other side. It is imperative that the weight is over the trucks. Boxcars and refrigerators will allow this. Other cars, like tanks and flats you can't. Gondolas, hoppers, cabooses are just as easy as the box or refrigerator. Here is a picture from another build so you understand what I do. I hope that this helps. I just finished the car construction. I'll be applying Glosscote this afternoon. Here are the pics... Manny
Thanks ... just wondered what you used. I used to cast my own bullets for target shooting. I used discarded tire weights which I would melt on the stove in a coffee can for pouring. If I needed some car weights, I would pour some on a flat surface (different thicknesses) and cut/break off what I needed. Most of the material came from tire shops, or picked up on the road while walking.
Me too. I cast pure lead round balls and Sharps bullets and have used pieces for car weights. Especially my caboose with lighting for sure track contact.
That's a nice looking model. I really like the truss rods and brake detail. Very nice paint and lettering as well. Are those Kadee archbar trucks?
You get your materials the same way I do. I get discarded weights from tire shops, or find them along side the road as well.
Hey Jim, Thanks. Yes, I only use Kadee Arch Bar trucks. I know that the style and spacing may not be 100% accurate for the time period, however, I consider making that small sacrifice to ensure smooth, trouble free running. Manny
Who's up for another beer? The winning guess as to the road name will get a prize! One guess per user. It's not what you think!
Spoetzl Brewery, Shiner, TX. ...although St Arnold Brewing Co., Houston, Texas's Oldest Craft Brewery makes much better beer.
Pearl, of course...San Antonio Brewing Association ? This image even includes a beer car.... http://atpearl.com/_assets/timeline/timeline-sabc.jpg
I'd say the Choc brewery in Krebs, OK, but since it lived largely under the radar (Oklahoma was a dry state until 1959, and the oenwe spent time off & on behind bars for violating state law by brewing his delicious beer), plus being on a Rock Island main, this may qualify as a wild guess. And yes, the Choc brewery is alive & well, making its handcrafted beers for (legal) public consumption. Ol' Pietro would be happy....
Nice idea. I'll have to look into it but that's not the car this time. Y'all need to get to the root of the selection!
I'll throw my mug in the ring and try Kreische Brewery. It's no longer around but survived to celebrate its 100th Anniversary in 1955.