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Athearn Blue Box Upgrades

Tim O'Connor
 


For the grandkids, Horizon (Athearn/Roundhouse) has re-tooled many older cars
including for example the old C&O 3 bay open hoppers which now come with wire
grab irons installed at the factory. Super-detailing old Athearn kits is possible, but
RTR seems like less work. :-)


On 7/5/2022 11:14 PM, BRIAN PAUL EHNI wrote:

Anyone know the answer? I don’t. 
Thanks!
Brian Ehni 
(Sent from my iPhone)

Begin forwarded message:

Brian,
while we are bringing up the old Athearn stuff, I need some info / help.
A LONG time ago (15+years) there was an article in MR (IIRC) about super detailing the old Athearn blue box hopper cars using brass shapes and strips to replace the ladders and grabs on the ends of the cars.
Would you have any ideas about the date of this issue or maybe a copy of the article?
I bought SEVERAL of these undec kits and now that my sisters grandson is getting into the hobby, I want to try to get them ready to paint and decal to give him for Xmas.
The difference in appearance when the details are changed is fabulous.
The roofwalks are still available but just changing those is useless without upgrading the ladders and grabs.
Any help will be muchly appreciated.
David


--
Tim O'Connor
Sterling, Massachusetts

Kenneth Montero
 

Model Railroader has archived all of its issues in an archive that can be accessed for $2.99 for just one month.

I don't subscribe to it. Perhaps those who do can see if a search of it is fruitful.

Ken Montero

On 07/05/2022 11:14 PM BRIAN PAUL EHNI <bpehni@...> wrote:


Anyone know the answer? I don’t. 

Thanks!
Brian Ehni 
(Sent from my iPhone)

Begin forwarded message:
Brian,
while we are bringing up the old Athearn stuff, I need some info / help.
A LONG time ago (15+years) there was an article in MR (IIRC) about super detailing the old Athearn blue box hopper cars using brass shapes and strips to replace the ladders and grabs on the ends of the cars.
Would you have any ideas about the date of this issue or maybe a copy of the article?
I bought SEVERAL of these undec kits and now that my sisters grandson is getting into the hobby, I want to try to get them ready to paint and decal to give him for Xmas.
The difference in appearance when the details are changed is fabulous.
The roofwalks are still available but just changing those is useless without upgrading the ladders and grabs.
Any help will be muchly appreciated.
David

Drew M.
 

Alan Mende did an article in MR in the early 1990s on upgrading the Athearn blue box hoppers. His prototype was the CNJ and he used the offset side version.

Drew Marshall, soggy South Philly

On Jul 5, 2022, at 23:14, BRIAN PAUL EHNI <bpehni@...> wrote:

Anyone know the answer? I don’t. 

Thanks!
Brian Ehni 
(Sent from my iPhone)

Begin forwarded message:

Brian,
while we are bringing up the old Athearn stuff, I need some info / help.
A LONG time ago (15+years) there was an article in MR (IIRC) about super detailing the old Athearn blue box hopper cars using brass shapes and strips to replace the ladders and grabs on the ends of the cars.
Would you have any ideas about the date of this issue or maybe a copy of the article?
I bought SEVERAL of these undec kits and now that my sisters grandson is getting into the hobby, I want to try to get them ready to paint and decal to give him for Xmas.
The difference in appearance when the details are changed is fabulous.
The roofwalks are still available but just changing those is useless without upgrading the ladders and grabs.
Any help will be muchly appreciated.
David

BRIAN PAUL EHNI
 

Anyone know the answer? I don’t. 

Thanks!
Brian Ehni 
(Sent from my iPhone)

Begin forwarded message:


Brian,
while we are bringing up the old Athearn stuff, I need some info / help.
A LONG time ago (15+years) there was an article in MR (IIRC) about super detailing the old Athearn blue box hopper cars using brass shapes and strips to replace the ladders and grabs on the ends of the cars.
Would you have any ideas about the date of this issue or maybe a copy of the article?
I bought SEVERAL of these undec kits and now that my sisters grandson is getting into the hobby, I want to try to get them ready to paint and decal to give him for Xmas.
The difference in appearance when the details are changed is fabulous.
The roofwalks are still available but just changing those is useless without upgrading the ladders and grabs.
Any help will be muchly appreciated.
David

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