They're left overs from an AMB Laser kit. The cupola also uses some extra wood from the same kit. I keep everything like a model parts horder.
So do I. It's surprising what can be re-purposed. You Murphy's Law- Throw it away and you're certain to need it...
Okay. FRISCO decal is too small but it's the closest I had. Early Frisco era decals are rare as hens teeth so that's my excuse. I'm still proud of how it's turning out but I didn't think I'll be scratchbuilding any more rolling stock. I should've started by building a flat car or box car but oh well. I added the 1.5 incandescent marker lights but I need to order some resistors in 750 or 850 ohms (I think). Still need to add several details and build the under frame and end platforms, such as they are. Thanks for help and here's some progress photos.
I work too fast, get sloppy and take short cuts but if I don't hurry I lose interest in the project. Those are very poor modeling habits. I guess I need to be more patient.
A modeling buddy was kind enough to custom print the correct sized FRISCO decal for me and he even created a special "build date" decal with the month and year I scratchbuilt my first rolling stock and added my name to it. That was very nice. Big thanks to him. Here's the improved lettering. Much better.
Tonight's progress was the construction of the end platforms and basic completion of the under frame and truck bolsters. I made the end platforms by laminating styrene and scribed wood siding to form the proper shape and used a thin strip of styrene embossed with rivets to wrap around the end. These were glued to the ends of a styrene strip was glued to the under frame and left protruding enough to use as a mounting point for the platforms. The truck bolsters and frame supports are just pieces of styrene cut to shape. I'll add brake rigging some day. I added the grab irons to the platform and drilled holes for the railing supports which I'll add later. So far, so good.
Zipping right along. Tonight I added the side steps, roof walk (most of it) and repositioned a couple of windows to be open. This project is turning out better than I thought. Lots of things left to do but I thought I would make this a photo journey. Maybe inspire others to try their hand at scratchbuilding a unique car for their railroad. Maybe not.
No, they're Tichy 24". I tried bending my own grabs once but they sucked. I saw these at my not so local hobby shop and bought a package. Good move on my part.
I dreaded this part but I got it done. I added the platform railings and I had to get the bends just right. That's not one of my better skills but I got through it. I also added the retaining valve pipe that goes up beside the rear door, the brake wheel and roof walk end support brackets. I can't believe how many details I have left to add!
