Date
1 - 19 of 19
Wood Swift Reefers
Paul Hillman
I finally got around to getting more of my RR things out of storage. I
found that I still have 2 plastic, HO, Life Like, Swift wood reefers that must be about 20+ years old. They are marked on the underbody floor, "Life Like - Hong Kong". I didn't know that we were doing plastic "China" things back that far, except for Oriental brass engines & cars?? The cars are about 38 ft, marked "SRLX", #1020, and car-type "RP104". CU FT 1750. They are white with red lettering. No build date. What is a good book on wood Swift reefers? Maybe I can kit-bash these cars into an accurate Swift reefer?? -or another prototype?? I only remember seeing red Swift reefers. Did they do white on certain years/classes? Paul Hillman
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Doug Brown <brown194@...>
This is the old Varney car. These cars go back to the mid-50s. The
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earliest Life-Like Varney cars had body-mounted couplers like the Varney ones. Later they changed to Talgo truck-mounted couplers. Doug Brown
-----Original Message-----
From: STMFC@yahoogroups.com [mailto:STMFC@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of behillman Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2005 7:07 PM To: STMFC@yahoogroups.com Subject: [STMFC] Wood Swift Reefers I finally got around to getting more of my RR things out of storage. I found that I still have 2 plastic, HO, Life Like, Swift wood reefers that must be about 20+ years old. They are marked on the underbody floor, "Life Like - Hong Kong". I didn't know that we were doing plastic "China" things back that far, except for Oriental brass engines & cars?? The cars are about 38 ft, marked "SRLX", #1020, and car-type "RP104". CU FT 1750. They are white with red lettering. No build date.
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William Keene <wakeene@...>
Paul,
I can't say about the wood reefers... but the steel (50ft or so) swift mechanical reefers of 1954-56-built date were painted in Aluminum or a silver gray with red trademark. At least the one that I washed and cleaned in the late 70s was painted that way. -- Bill Keene On Jul 20, 2005, at 5:07 PM, behillman wrote: I finally got around to getting more of my RR things out of storage. I [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Benjamin Hom <b.hom@...>
Paul Hillman asked:
"I finally got around to getting more of my RR things out of storage. I found that I still have 2 plastic, HO, Life Like, Swift wood reefers that must be about 20+ years old. They are marked on the underbody floor, "Life Like - Hong Kong". I didn't know that we were doing plastic "China" things back that far, except for Oriental brass engines & cars?? The cars are about 38 ft, marked "SRLX", #1020, and car-type "RP104". CU FT 1750. They are white with red lettering. No build date." As Doug posted, the tooling is ex-Varney. This car is still on the market in Life-Like's toy line, though retooled with a separate "generic" underframe; both models are common at swap meets or on eBay. "What is a good book on wood Swift reefers? Maybe I can kit-bash these cars into an accurate Swift reefer?? -or another prototype??" John Nehrich kitbashed these cars into Armour and Swift reefers during the late 1980s. See "Here's the beef - HO meat reefers from a Life-Like car", Model Railroader, August 1987, p 52. For more prototype info, see also Martin Lofton's "Swift's Reefer, Tank & Stock cars from Life-Like, Walthers & Sunshine Kits", Railmodel Journal, February 1993, p 26. Better kits for meat reefers are available from Sunshine and Funaro, but if you haven't broken the ice on kit conversions yet, this is a "guilt free" project as you don't lose anything if you ruin the models. "I only remember seeing red Swift reefers. Did they do white on certain years/classes?" Not on wood sheathed cars. Ben Hom
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Paul Hillman
Ben Hom wrote,
"This car is still on the market in Life-Like's toy line, though retooled with a separate 'generic' underframe; both models are common at swap meets or on eBay." Quite interesting since I'd thought that these cars might have been a long-outdated "toy-type" car! "John Nehrich kitbashed these cars into Armour and Swift reefers during the late 1980s. See 'Here's the beef - HO meat reefers from a Life-Like car', Model Railroader, August 1987, p 52." I think I might have that issue. Now that I can sort through my MR & other mags, I'll seek for it. "Better kits for meat reefers are available from Sunshine and Funaro, but if you haven't broken the ice on kit conversions yet, this is a "guilt free" project as you don't lose anything if you ruin the models." What I don't understand here Ben is, how can I be "guilt free" if I destroy the models? (Except for in a fit of rage because some parts don't fit or something???) Do Sunshine & Funaro both supply an infinite quantity of replacement parts for grossly inept modelers?? ************************************************************************************** Paul Hillman
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pullmanboss <tgmadden@...>
Ben Hom wrote:
"Better kits for meat reefers are available from Sunshine andFunaro, but if you haven't broken the ice on kit conversions yet, this is a "guiltfree" project as you don't lose anything if you ruin the models."And Paul Hillman responded: What I don't understand here Ben is, how can I be "guilt free" if Idestroy the models? (Except for in a fit of rage because some parts don't fit or something???) Do Sunshine & Funaro both supply an infinite quantity of replacement parts for grossly inept modelers?? I'm sure Ben was referring to the Life-Like car as the "guilt free" model on which to practice your kitbashing. What I don't understand is why anyone would want to acquire "replacement parts for inept modelers". Tom "ept, I hope, but could use some new eyes" Madden
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Scott Pitzer
Paul,
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Ben means if you try to upgrade your Life-Likes, and you botch it, there's nothing lost. I used that Nehrich article soon after it was published. The finished car (late 1940s yellow sides, red-brown roof and ends, rectangular white-on-red logo) is kinda neat. I haven't gotten around to a resin Swift car, even though my paternal grandfather worked for them long ago. Scott Pitzer -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Hillman <chris_hillman@msn.com> What I don't understand here Ben is, how can I be "guilt free" if I destroy the models? (Except for in a fit of rage because some parts don't fit or something???) Do Sunshine & Funaro both supply an infinite quantity of replacement parts for grossly inept modelers?? ************************************************************************************** Paul Hillman
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Benjamin Hom <b.hom@...>
Paul Hillman wrote:
"What I don't understand here Ben is, how can I be "guilt free" if I destroy the models? (Except for in a fit of rage because some parts don't fit or something???)" Because a killer mistake only costs you a model that costs $1-$5 at your local hobby shop or swap meet, instead of $15-$25 for an advanced styrene kit or $12-$50 for a resin kit. Consider it a low-cost way to improve your skills. "Do Sunshine & Funaro both supply an infinite quantity of replacement parts for grossly inept modelers??" Westerfield definitely does for 99% of his parts (no Carmer cut levers!); Sunshine and Funaro do if you're willing to wait a real long time. Ben Hom
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Ted Culotta <tculotta@...>
On Jul 21, 2005, at 6:32 AM, Benjamin Hom wrote:
Paul Hillman wrote:I am sure that Tony Thompson and/or Larry Kline can relate the horrified looks and gasps they received in a class they taught (local community college) where they (gasp!) cut up Athearn shells to make new models. I think one of the biggest impediments to modeling (as opposed to model railroading which in most circumstances involves little to no modeling since most model railroaders are not acutally modelers, but screwer-togetherers and even that is a dying breed) is the "analysis-paralysis" dilemma whereby one tries to come up with the most foolproof method of tackling a project before commencing. Unfortunately, the closets, basements, etc. of America are full of such uncommenced efforts. Just do it. It takes a few broken Athearn shells to make an omelette. Regards, Ted Culotta Speedwitch Media 645 Tanner Marsh Road, Guilford, CT 06437 info@speedwitch.com www.speedwitch.com (650) 787-1912
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Paul Hillman
Ben Hom wrote:
"Because a killer mistake only costs you a model that costs $1-$5 at your local hobby shop or swap meet, instead of $15-$25 for an advanced styrene kit or $12-$50 for a resin kit. Consider it a low-cost way to improve your skills." I got ya' now. Somehow I was misunderstanding about destroying a resin or expensive kit. Actually I enjoy doing those kind of kitbashings and salvaging old cars into scale masterpieces. I've always admired John Nehrich's work and articles. My start in model railroading, in the '50's, was heavily into scratch & kit building anyway, back when that was pretty much the norm for the hobby. If things get TOO much out of control though, I'll always have another model to set on my scale RIP track, or scale scrap-yard. Thanks for all the info. Paul Hillman
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cvsne <mjmcguirk@...>
"Life Like - Hong Kong". I didn't know that we were doing
plastic "China" things back that far, except for Oriental brass engines & cars?? <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> A lot of model railroaders are genuinely suprised when they learn the first US model railroad manufacturer to do extensive business in Asia (for other than brass) was Athearn -- they were Sanda Kan's first US customer for model train products back in the 1950s. At that point, the SDK was still in Taiwan, as the founder had escaped from mainland China. That individual (who is a wonderful, highly regarded gentleman) eventually moved to the US and settled near Baltimore . . . he has had a long term business and personal relationship with the principal at Life-Like until they both retired a few years ago. Sanda Kan is one of the larger Chinese companies, and it is today owned (primarily) by other US (non model railroad related) investment firms . . . So, no, not surprised at all to see Life-Like Hong Kong from 20+ years ago -- if you look hard enough you'll likely find "Life-Like Taiwan" as well. Marty McGuirk
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cvsne <mjmcguirk@...>
John Nehrich kitbashed these cars into Armour and Swift reefersduring the late 1980s. See "Here's the beef - HO meat reefers from a Life-Like car", Model Railroader, August 1987, p 52.Although I'm sure that issue is out of print, I believe the article was republished in a Kalmbach book on modeling freight cars a few years ago. Same book inlcudes Andy Sperandeo's article on detailing Athearn's old ATSF caboose. I also did a lot of that kind of "stuff" back then in the "dark days" of the 1970s and 80s -- I remember kitbashing a TMI "Outside braced" (that's what it said on the box, and I never figured out what it really was . . . don't really care now!) boxcar into a CV 40000- series car. Meant building new ends, roof, doors, and underframe, and adding individual details to the sides.) I've built better since, but I treasure that model. Although I'm thankful every day for the likes of Westerfield, Sunshine, IRC, RC, P2K, Branchline, etc . . . sometimes I miss the "good old days . . ." but not TOO much . Marty McGuirk
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bierglaeser <bierglaeser@...>
Ah, "analysis-paralysis", eh? I knew I had a problem but I didn't
know it had a name. Are there any self-help groups? Gene Green <snip> I think one of the biggest impediments to modeling (as opposed to model railroading which in most circumstances involves little tono modeling since most model railroaders are not acutally modelers,but screwer-togetherers and even that is a dying breed) is themost foolproof method of tackling a project before commencing.such uncommenced efforts. Just do it. It takes a few broken Athearnshells to make an omelette.
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armprem
Ah yes.I just discovered my yet to be completed Swift reefer kit bash in
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my "junk box".I am afraid that model will never get trucks or couplers.Armand premo
----- Original Message -----
From: "cvsne" <mjmcguirk@cox.net> To: <STMFC@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2005 9:31 AM Subject: [STMFC] Re: Wood Swift Reefers John Nehrich kitbashed these cars into Armour and Swift reefersduring thelate 1980s. See "Here's the beef - HO meat reefers from a Life-Like car",Model Railroader, August 1987, p 52.Although I'm sure that issue is out of print, I believe the article
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Anthony Thompson <thompson@...>
Ted Culotta wrote:
I am sure that Tony Thompson and/or Larry Kline can relate theThis was a Richard Hendrickson discovery, which I exploited to get the identical result: the moment the razor saw touched the body of the car, there was an audible gasp. Ted's comments are exactly right. Just try it. And if the thought is intimidating, start with an Athearn body--or a Varney reefer. Tony Thompson Editor, Signature Press, Berkeley, CA 2906 Forest Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705 www.signaturepress.com (510) 540-6538; fax, (510) 540-1937; e-mail, thompson@signaturepress.com Publishers of books on railroad history
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Paul Hillman
Gene Green wrote;
Ah, "analysis-paralysis", eh? I knew I had a problem but I didn't know it had a name. Are there any self-help groups? *********************************************************************************** Well, I have a whole "pack" of projects like that in boxes, et al, that I still have to do myself. It is not that I have procrastinated nor suffered paralysis, per se, it is instead that circumstance has lent it's misfortune to prevent me from continuing through with my intended endeavors. But, I have "Set my face like Flint", that SOME day I WILL finish them!!! When I was 10 years old I made the decision that model railroading would be my life-long hobby, in the face of others asking me, "Are you still 'playing' with those trains?" I suffered this response to a long-haired beauty whom I greatly admired in my youth, to the same question; to wit) "Model railroading is NOT 'playing with trains'! It is three dimensional, animated art, understandable only by the truly gifted in perceiving of such deeper, creative things." After that I believe she became a Nun. It is true though, that one wisely tends to seek out the most proficient way to approach a project, until it becomes sometimes a self-made, MAJOR project. I have done that often myself, seeking the highest perfection that I could attain, to the point that I've become almost dysfunctional with the project. The "self-help" would be, like I've done,.....put the project aside for about 20 years, and then tackle it once again. The hiatus will provide a sufficient regrouping of intent about the project, and eventually one might even finish the damned thing!! Never give up!! Paul Hillman
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Doug Brown <brown194@...>
In my youth I purchased Quality Craft Models first craftsman kit (as
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well as several other craftsman kits), their kit P-1 (PRR kit 1), the x58A. I built several but most are still kits, some started. I know a lot more about PRR prototypes now than I did then. Recently I pulled kit P-1 out of the box it was packed in. I was shocked! The cast ends were pre-war Dreadnaught. The roof was inset, flat with angle ribs. The side sills were too high and the sides were too short. The external posts did not extend far enough down the side sills. It looked like a great kit when I bought it. I'm glad I didn't build it. Now I have a decent set of decals and a Cal-Scale H-C underframe set. Now with Branchline roof and ends, Details West underframe and some styrene strips and wire I am set to go. More recently I purchased a Branchline kit marked 7' door, PRR X43C, figuring I would have to modify it with 8' doors. When I opened the box I found a car with 8' doors. So it works both ways. I prefer the errors to be on the box rather than on the contents. Doug Brown
-----Original Message-----
From: STMFC@yahoogroups.com [mailto:STMFC@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul Hillman Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2005 5:28 PM To: STMFC@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [STMFC] Re: Wood Swift Reefers Gene Green wrote; Ah, "analysis-paralysis", eh? I knew I had a problem but I didn't know it had a name. Are there any self-help groups? ************************************************************************ *********** Well, I have a whole "pack" of projects like that in boxes, et al, that I still have to do myself. It is not that I have procrastinated nor suffered paralysis, per se, it is instead that circumstance has lent it's misfortune to prevent me from continuing through with my intended endeavors. But, I have "Set my face like Flint", that SOME day I WILL finish them!!! <snip> Paul Hillman
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This has nothing to do with Swift reefers but I've found that if you let a project age long enough somebody will come out with a better model.
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Like the 17 Golden Spike mechanical reefers I've acquired. I am going to replace the ladders with better components from Branchline. But wait, I don't have to, a better 21st century version is being produced. Same with the AHM / Robins Rail PS- 3-bay covered hopper. I can throw those out with the reefers and my Nickle Plate Pioneer Zephyr. Actually I have an outlet for my C list equipment. At my church we have a boys youth group and a few years ago built a medium sized railroad in one of our classrooms. It is double track main with 28" min radius and thanks to the guys from Mod-U-Trak has 5 cabs and provisions for an upgrade to DCC. Most of my older Athearn cars and engines are "on loan". Work permitting, I hold work sessions with the kids, try to give them some basic knowledge and fuel the potential of the more train wise boys. Most of them have never railfanned and woldn't recognize the difference between the Athearn 40 ft rolling stock on the layout and a Plate C car on the EJ&E. Thats a good thing because they also won't complain about how difficult a Branchline car is to build or how hard it is to drill for grabs on a Walthers caboose like the "adult" modelers I've heard. These young men appreciate the fact that an adult cares enough to spend some time and share his talents with them. It keps the hobby alive and lets you share information that you would normally take for granted. Sincerely, Rob Manley Midwest Mod-U-Trak "When building kits is a lost art, Only lost artists will be building kits !!"
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Hillman To: STMFC@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2005 5:28 PM Subject: Re: [STMFC] Re: Wood Swift Reefers Gene Green wrote; Ah, "analysis-paralysis", eh? I knew I had a problem but I didn't know it had a name. Are there any self-help groups? *********************************************************************************** Well, I have a whole "pack" of projects like that in boxes, et al, that I still have to do myself. It is not that I have procrastinated nor suffered paralysis, per se, it is instead that circumstance has lent it's misfortune to prevent me from continuing through with my intended endeavors. But, I have "Set my face like Flint", that SOME day I WILL finish them!!! When I was 10 years old I made the decision that model railroading would be my life-long hobby, in the face of others asking me, "Are you still 'playing' with those trains?" I suffered this response to a long-haired beauty whom I greatly admired in my youth, to the same question; to wit) "Model railroading is NOT 'playing with trains'! It is three dimensional, animated art, understandable only by the truly gifted in perceiving of such deeper, creative things." After that I believe she became a Nun. It is true though, that one wisely tends to seek out the most proficient way to approach a project, until it becomes sometimes a self-made, MAJOR project. I have done that often myself, seeking the highest perfection that I could attain, to the point that I've become almost dysfunctional with the project. The "self-help" would be, like I've done,.....put the project aside for about 20 years, and then tackle it once again. The hiatus will provide a sufficient regrouping of intent about the project, and eventually one might even finish the damned thing!! Never give up!! Paul Hillman ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS a.. Visit your group "STMFC" on the web. b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: STMFC-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Bill McCoy <bugsy451@...>
I expect you are referring to Gary Wright's (Wright Trak)new FGE
mechanical car. The photos from NMRA in Cincinnati look good. I sent him a Naperville flyer and hope he will come. I too have a small group of the Golden Spike - Silver Streak - Walthers cars that are now out of a job. Any one interested please contact me off line. Bill McCoy Jax --- In STMFC@yahoogroups.com, <robev1630@s...> wrote: This has nothing to do with Swift reefers but I've found that ifyou let a project age long enough somebody will come out with a better model. Like the 17 Golden Spike mechanical reefers I've acquired. I amgoing to replace the ladders with better components from Branchline. But wait, I don't have to, a better 21st century version is being produced. Same with the AHM / Robins Rail PS- 3-bay covered hopper. I can throw those out with the reefers and my Nickle Plate Pioneer Zephyr. Actually I have an outlet for my C list equipment. At my church wehave a boys youth group and a few years ago built a medium sized railroad in one of our classrooms. It is double track main with 28" min radius and thanks to the guys from Mod-U-Trak has 5 cabs and provisions for an upgrade to DCC. Most of my older Athearn cars and engines are "on loan". Work permitting, I hold work sessions with the kids, try to give them some basic knowledge and fuel the potential of the more train wise boys. Most of them have never railfanned and woldn't recognize the difference between the Athearn 40 ft rolling stock on the layout and a Plate C car on the EJ&E. Thats a good thing because they also won't complain about how difficult a Branchline car is to build or how hard it is to drill for grabs on a Walthers caboose like the "adult" modelers I've heard. These young men appreciate the fact that an adult cares enough to spend some time and share his talents with them. It keps the hobby alive and lets you share information that you would normally take for granted. Sincerely,didn't know it had a name. Are there any self-help groups?********************************************************************* ************** Well, I have a whole "pack" of projects like that in boxes, etal, that I still have to do myself. It is not that I have procrastinated nor suffered paralysis, per se, it is instead that circumstance has lent it's misfortune to prevent me from continuing through with my intended endeavors. But, I have "Set my face like Flint", that SOME day I WILL finish them!!! railroading would be my life-long hobby, in the face of others asking me, "Are you still 'playing' with those trains?" I suffered this response to a long-haired beauty whom I greatly admired in my youth, to the same question; to wit) "Model railroading is NOT 'playing with trains'! It is three dimensional, animated art, understandable only by the truly gifted in perceiving of such deeper, creative things." After that I believe she became a Nun. proficient way to approach a project, until it becomes sometimes a self-made, MAJOR project. I have done that often myself, seeking the highest perfection that I could attain, to the point that I've become almost dysfunctional with the project. aside for about 20 years, and then tackle it once again. The hiatus will provide a sufficient regrouping of intent about the project, and eventually one might even finish the damned thing!! Never give up!! ----------- YAHOO! GROUPS LINKSof Service. -----------
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