I'm looking for some good resources, online or otherwise, for detailed plans or how-to's for scratchbuilding early 1900's freight cars. I have an old book from Model Railroader that has some great plans for cars and cabooses, but only from the frame up. There are no under-frame details provided, and I have no clue what goes under there. The goal is to build cars that are true models, top/bottom/inside and out. I plan to use these for the NMRA achievement program, so they need to satisfy the rivet-counters. Any suggestions for good resources?
Tracy - Check out the following website: http://hoseeker.net/lit.html Many, many assembly instructions for a wide range of kits are available there and the instructions include some really good drawings. If you find a model you like from, for example, Ambroid, the drawings include the complete underbody details. Hope you find something useful there.
Diagrams Larry at HO Seeker is always looking for any kind of model railroad diagrams and he gives credit to your library. I have sent in diagrams to him before. Many printers now have scan capability. Rich
Under frame photos & diagrams. Do a Google Book search for the rolling stock desired. There are many books available and Google usually includes links to sellers of the books. In the past I have found free PDF downloads of different prototype railroad books that I put in my PC. It does take some time searching out the different books. I have bought a couple books dated 1900 for under $30.00 with excellent references. One book was $8.00. Many diagrams of air, steam, pipes, hoses. Electrical diagrams as electricity was showing up in passenger cars, locos. Different types of loco headlights in the era. Oil, Acetylene, carbon arc, incandescent lights. The Internet is an excellent source for searching out other sources. Some even point out the libraries you can check out book at that might have what you want. Rich
I love HO Seeker also-but be aware that the model KIT manufacturers did NOT always size /locate/ or even detail the underside train lines/brake systems etc. ACCURATELY Fo scale couplers look at Sergent Engineering website- i use them exclusively fro realistic models , not even all the scale brake parts are accurate size- so be aware and get sizing/location from old fotos if possible -btw even some of the current modeling books w=sow brake system in the locke position ( hard to run the cars that way) MDF
I am lucky that my local public library still has a copyt of Simmons-Boardman's Car and Locomotive Plans for Model Railroaders, published about 1950, reprints of prototype photos and erection scale drawings. I have several of the Gregg reprints, Train Shed Cyclopedia that are great for 1920s-30s-40s.
I would start building a kit, perhaps a flat car. :angel: Then you have an instruction too. Look at LaBelle Woodworking, I like those kits. Wolfgang
