coh2000

I have another question about this box car. What is this piece for at the bottom center of the box car end. Looks like a coupler ought to be passed through it since it is open.

I have found these Aristo-Craft passenger trucks but I have noticed that these trucks have really long extensions for the couplers. They don’t look very realistic so adding the Kadee 820 couplers to these long extensions is questionable. I wonder if I could cut the extension back and drill another hole to attach couplers? Again, this car will not be run… it is for display only.

This is the Aristo-craft truck type that I think I would like to use. Only thing is, I don't know the part number or if they are still in production. I'm watching Ebay for this type. Hoping to find them. They are described as passenger trucks. If anyone knows, I would appreciate it if you would comment.

OK, thanks Jerry for the 820 coupler suggestion. I couldn't tell from the photos I saw. I'm thinking about Aristo-craft passenger trucks. The springs are metal I think and I can weather them to look really good. I did get some code 250 rail from Sunset Valley. Also, some rail plates, NBW and fishplates from Ozark Miniatures. THe NBW (smallest they had) are pretty close to the correct size for the wooden rail guards I installed. I got some Micro Engineering Code-250 Tie Plates but they are too small for Sunset Valley's code 250 rail. SV rail has a 6mm base (about 1mm wider that other code 250 rail) The fishplates are listed for code 332 (only thing they had), but I can make them work.

The Kadee site show #831 couplers for a USA G scale box car. You are suggesting a #820 for appearance?

Jerry, Do you know it the couplers on Bachman G scale trucks just 'pop off' of the truck frames? I'm looking at some trucks but I would need to use the couplers on my current set put on them since they come without couplers.

Here is a photo of a REA wood box car (attached) with a set of trucks that might be appropriate??? This particular car is HO scale on the Walthers website I believe. I would need a G scale truck but I haven't seen any like this one for sale.

Jerry, this is just one box car that I want to weather and display on a low trestle. I won't be running it. I appreciate your response. I'm asking because I want something for 'looks' in this case. I'm not sure what type of trucks I should be looking for that would be appropriate for this box car, but I would guess that the wood reefer I have would have been built in the 20s or 30s. If you have any ideas about that, I would sure like to know. Thanks.

Jerry, The Kadee sets I see are 1:29 (33"_ and 1:32 (36"). These might not look good on my 1:24 USA box car?

I don't know what time period this green REA/ SP reefer belongs in, but I'm thinking that it would probably have archbar trucks. If it was ever used in a passenger consist, would the wheels have to be as large as passenger coach cars? Anyone know?

Jim, Thanks for your reply.

I'm working on a static USA Express Box Car project.. It came with plastic trucks&wheels, and I'm wondering if anyone could suggest a more realistic replacement? I'd like to have realistic looking couplers or as close as I can find. Since this is an REA Express car I suppose that it traveled on passenger trains, I wonder if it should look for 36" wheel sets too? Your suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks for reading.

Wow! Really nice work. Thank you for posting these photos to help me along with weathering. I've never done it before.

Kevin, I should have said that my item is a 'wood Sheathed' reefer and it has wood sheathed doors. Knowing that, can you suggest anything regarding my doing something to make it look realistic. It's an example of a very old reefer.

Thank you Kevin for your response. I guess I need to find some information on the web about 'how' to apply a wash. It sounds like a good idea, but I don't know exactly how to apply it. If you know of any information sites that might be helpful, please let me know. I appreciate your help.