The Swift reefers in the photo have doors with only 4 hinges, which stands out to me. I think most reefers have doors with 6 hinges. Can anyone tell me the difference? Were the four hinge doors lighte

Eric and Jim, Thanks so much for your responses. The PDSs opened perfectly. These will be a big help to me. Thanks again, Chuck Cover Santa Fe, NM

Group, I am looking for Prototype Data Sheets for: Sunshine #39.1 and 39.4 SLSF 40' Howe Truss boxcars Sunshine #17.9 SP de Mexico B 50-14 Express boxcar Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Chuck Co

Thanks to all those who commented on the X26 build. Chuck Cover Santa Fe, NM Modeling the PRR’s Shamokin Branch 1956

Here is a newly built Westerfield PRR X26 SS 40' boxcar with a welded 6' car builder door. Some X26 boxcars had these interesting doors, made by welding together two original 4' auxiliary doors. These

Group, A couple of comments on my kit-bashing the F34. At the time I began to think about this project, F&C had not yet brought out their nice F34 kit. Before building the kit-bash, I ordered, from th

Group, There are a few more car card/waybill systems out there that give operators a lot more options than the most common 4 position card in envelope that most folks use. I use a computerized waybill

I just measured my F&C model #6770 and it is the correct height as compared to the prototype schematic in the Freight Car Equipment of the C&O Railway, August 1, 1937. They were built in 1930 and ran

Rich and all, Attached are a couple of photos of the F&C built car sitting in Northumberland yard. Chuck Cover Santa Fe, NM

Group, I have an operating layout and need steps that will stand up to handling. I have attached photos of how I fabricate this type of “two rung sill steps” using A-Line type A steps and flat metal b

Here is a finished Steam Shack GTW ss boxcar model that I built last year. It was a nice kit and built up similar to today’s resin kits. Chuck Cover Santa Fe, NM

Eric, Thanks for pursuing this. I know many of us use this web site frequently as a reference and not having it would leave a big void. Chuck Cover Santa Fe, NM

Group, I have tried several times to connect to the Sunshine kits web page but I am directed to a page that says "This Account has been suspended". I emailed the hosting provider per the page link, bu

Wanted Sunshine Kits: 37.9, 37.11 or 39.12 DL&W 4650 series DS 40’ Boxcar 37.10 LV 60000 series DS 40’ Boxcar 97.1, 97.2, 97.4 or 97.5 NC&SL XM-32 36’ steel rebuilt Boxcar 64.8 NKP 25000-25099 10’6” r

Group, I have not used many Tichy decals but those that I have used were fine. I recently used Don Tichy’s C&EI decals on a Sunshine Mather boxcar. I think factual information about various products i

Thanks to all who have contributed to this inquiry. The consensus is that it is a Silver Streak model that has been modified. Chuck Cover Santa Fe, NM

RE: . Are they wood, resin or plastic? Hi Ralph, That is one of my problems, I cannot tell whether the model is wood or not. The entire model is very smooth which makes me think that it not a wood bas

Group, I purchased several of these beautifully built reefer cars many years ago at a train show back east. I was hoping that someone could identify the manufacturer of these cars. Thanks Chuck Cover

RE: what did you use for hopper doors on your models? Don, I used Bowser H21 Wine door locks and the hopper door angles were 3/64” styrene. These two details are the most visible from the sides of the

Scott, As Ben indicated the Hobbyline model is the best starting point. There was an article in Railroad Model Craftsman, May 2011, pp83-86, “Detailing a Lehigh Valley Hopper Car” and also an article