I agree with the desire for a coupler height centre-line standard. I gave the broad topic of freight car standards a little more thought, particularly after reading Bruce and Greg’s comments this morn

looks a lot like a later era (late 30’s) CPR reefer design, which had exposed side sills that tapered at each end, and sloped fascia at the roof. However, I am surprised that the side sills look deepe

Tim, I see the advantages of a screw further back from the car end, but have to ask whether making it the bolster screw really adds that much? I suggest it makes conversion of a lot models more cumber

I see the various negative comments on this topic, but will ignore them. From what I can see, we have a vested interest group (tens of thousands of installed couplers) who run with the Kadee products.

Nice photo – thanks for posting the link. I’m curious about the appearance they are different heights. I count both cars as having 21.5 (approx.) side sheathing boards; sills look similar height; I ca

and panel counters, and corrugation counters, and rivet row counters, and board counters . . . . . i.e. modelers Rob Kirkham

I’ve done it for S scale – a 7/8 murphy end. Not hard. Rob Kirkham

Hi Greg – sound like an interesting model, and I am interested in the aftermarket opportunity. But I have not see built dates for the Rock Island or the SP car. I model 1946 . Do either of the cars wo

Sounds easy enough to draw and 3d print. Do you have the necessary dimensions? I.e. - panel heights - overall width - bottom panel: amount of flat space below the lowest rib - upper panel: amount of f

I’m more of the point of view that societies should go for accurate or not bother with realistic paint and lettering. On the topic of relying on societies, I am with others who do. I don’t have the br

I think I recall the messages about those models Jack. Never thought they were appropriate for my own modelling, so didn’t purchase any. But they sure capture the essence of cars in photos I’ve seen;

Does that include the Hart cars. They are gorgeous . . . . Rob Kirkham

Just an update on Shapeways: received a refund of my shipping costs on my last order from Shapeways after letting them know the surface finish on a part wasn’t good (though tolerable) Then I received

Dave – Shapeways doesn’t (or hasn’t) allow(ed) control of part orientation. In Tom’s clinics on this topic, he has given plenty of advice about part orientation, and about how to design around this Sh

On the other hand . . . at least I received a follow up e-mail from Shapeways on my latest venture asking me to complete a survey. When I scored them a very kind hearted 4/10, they asked why and asked

Hi Fenton: for the CPR 296xxx to 299xxx series – I think you are wanting composite (steel frame in CPR parlance) automobile boxcars, so the Sylvan kit won’t help you. Jonathan McConathy wrote a pair o

I’m enjoying the book too. On my wish list: other photos showing ends of the various car series shown in the book, and modelling tips. Rob Kirkham

It has been a tough few months for the hobby. I too am sad to see RMC go. It was in those pages that I first discovered Stafford Swain (later to appear in great Canadian freight car articles in MM and

As I am doing some 3d drafting and making parts for modelling, a few comments. - if there was a suitable way that one could design, for example, a reefer door hinge 3d file, make it available for a re

thanks for the tip Bill