I am currently doing four of the 28000 series and two of the 27000 series. Yes, the RMC article is an excellent guide. There are actually a couple of more articles out done with fish belly underframes but I have not seen an actual photo. The NYC drawings that I have show the lengthwise rod on the left hand side of the car as you face the brake end. Photos show it on the opposite side. For my cars, I am leaving the width as it is. I didn't want to attempt cutting the car in half and then trying to get a good looking joint. Plus the livestock enjoy the extra room! I did one car with the end ladders with individual grabs. It's tedious but it came out okay. I did wreck a couple of ladders in the process. What helped me was using a sharp punch to make a starter hole before drilling. Otherwise, I had difficulty with the bit wandering which damaged the ladder. For the other cars, I'm using a stock Tichy ladder on the ends. The rod on the bottom of the car is easily broken and I am thinking of removing it and replacing it with a brass rod. If I do that, I'll file a groove in the back of the hangers.
