Years ago when Al Westerfield was beginning the process of selling his business he let his customers know it might be a good idea to place an order just in case. I ordered several kits just in case. Currently I am building two models from this order, both 40-foot truss boxcars, a GN with Murphy ends and CB&Q with early Dreadnaught ends. There are similarities like the XLA roofs and 5-foot wide door openings plus both utilized underframes with eight truss rods although the spacing between the truss rods was different. I thought I would share a few photos of each so modelers could see and compare the two.

One variation from the CB&Q kit instructions is how I built the ends ladders. One of the right side ladder stiles was missing from the kit so I substituted strip styrene using the cast-on left side stile to sort out the grab iron spacing and before mounting them on the car ends I drilled #79 holes. Then once I attached these parts using the holes already drilled in the styrene, I drilled through the resin ends to create rigid and easy assembly for the wire parts.

With the brake lines and rods in place I will proceed to assemble the truss rods beginning with the two pair of inside rods and working towards the sides. Building a model with so many truss rods is akin to building a sailing ship with all of its rigging. The AB brake parts need to fit between the Queen Posts so their height will not interfere with the truss rods meaning some dry fitting of various parts is important before anything is glued in place. Patience is important here.

Bill Welch

When did the Bangor and Aroostook start applying the three color State of Maine scheme to their 1932 ARA boxcars?

Thanks

Gene Deimling 

On 9 Dec 2019, at 10:36, Garth Groff and Sally Sanford <mallardlodge1000@...> wrote:



Friends,

While I am loath to argue with Tony about this, I find no evidence or mention of roof replacements to the WP 15001-series boxcars. I have copies of several of the general arrangement diagrams for cars in this series, including the 26001-series in plaster service, 8051-8055 (the last in general service circa 1947, see below), the 75001-series stock cars (which had "single-board" roofs, suggesting the original steel claddding was removed), various cars converted to MW service, and numerous photos in my collection and in several WP books. None offer any indication for roof conversions except the stock cars. I can't say it didn't happen, but I will remain unconvinced until somebody finds photographic or documentary evidence.

The 8051-8055 group should be of particular interest to Fred. The general arrangement drawing was reworked 3-28-47 (only the car numbers were changed). These were apparently the last five such cars in general service, if indeed they actually were still in use. I have the WP July 1949 ORER sheets, and these cars are gone from the roster, as are all the 15001-cars. The 8051 series apparently had a very short life with those numbers.

I suggest the Accurail roof should be sanded smooth and Archer seams added. The car is way too tall to be even a good stand-in (they had just an 8-foot IH, and were 12' 10" and change at the roof peak), which was why I disposed of my examples long ago. 

Yours Aye,

Garth Groff 🦆

On Sun, Dec 8, 2019 at 9:17 PM Rich C via Groups.Io <rhcdmc=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:

It will look great when you give it The Doggett Weathering magic

On Saturday, December 7, 2019, 07:48:23 AM CST, Paul Doggett via Groups.Io <paul.doggett2472=icloud.com@groups.io> wrote:

Hi guys

The Accurail conversion is ready for painting and decals for WP I have left the original roof as Tony Thompson reckons some got steel roofs at some stage. The kit bashing is not perfect as I reckon it’s slightly to high but will be a reasonable stand in.

Paul Doggett.  England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿