Just finishing a new project: C & S Reefer #550. The 550 was the first refridgerator car built to C & S specs by the St. Charles Car Company in 1898. It went into service in 1899. The model is how the car would have looked immediately after delivery from the factory, with dimensional data added. As can be seen in Photo 1, it is from a generic Bachmann reefer, painted and unlettered. Because the C & S car had three hinges, I added some Grandt Line hinges (along with door hooks). I added the "Tack Cards Here" plackard as well (just a piece of painted scrap wood). I have some comparison photos with the pic of the car as shopped by St. Charles (FROM: Narrow Gauge Pictorial Vol. VIII Pp. 86 by Poole and Martin). Certain artistic license was needed since the CDS Lettering did not always fit where it was supposed to. Let me know what you think! John
Well, it looks plenty good to me! Now you just need to sit down, and carve a pile of ice blocks! Boxcab E50
TY Boxcab! Of course more could have been done and I will add more detail as time goes on, but I think it strikes a nice balance between rivet counting and freelence John
