Date
1 - 11 of 11
Cudahy 36' Meat Reefer -- Branchline (MDC)
Bob Chapman
Back mid-July, I posted a question about the prototype represented by the Branchline 36' reefer kit that I had in my stash. I learned that with added detail the kit could prototype-model the Cudahy 1946 #5701-5850 meat reefer, was pointed to a Richard Hendrickson RMC article on the project (5/93), and learned that the BL kit had MDC origins. Thanks to all who responded -- Brian Carlson, Joe Binish, Fenton Wells, Robert Heninger, Dan Smith, Clark Propst, and Steve Hile.
Other references which offered additional prototype photos and comments -- MR 8/87, MM 3/92, Steam Era Freight Car Reference Manual Vol 3, Classic Freight Cars Vol. 3.
Despite its 1946 build date, the Cudahy car is a design throwback with many 1920's features -- 36' length, wooden carbody, etc. It has some interesting details -- a recessed retainer valve, an angle brace running much of the length of the sidesill, body-brace boltheads at the corners, Acme ventilators (upper-center on each end), and National B-1 trucks.
Richard once again demonstrates his eye for detail and excellent modeling in the RMC article, and anyone else doing the project will find it a valuable reference. Note that his starting point is a truss-rodded MDC "old timer" reefer, which has some carbody differences (roof, hatches, underbody) vs. my later-era non-truss rod MDC kit. I followed much of Richard's lead, but deviated here and there, such as scratchbuilding the ends and retaining the diecast underframe. Decals are K4 and trucks Kadee.
With my stash of resin kits now running on empty, I continue to have fun reinventing some of the vintage styrene kits.
Regards,
Bob Chapman
That came out nice!
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Brian J. Carlson
On Aug 10, 2022, at 7:49 PM, Bob Chapman <chapbob4014@...> wrote:
Back mid-July, I posted a question about the prototype represented by the Branchline 36' reefer kit that I had in my stash. I learned that with added detail the kit could prototype-model the Cudahy 1946 #5701-5850 meat reefer, was pointed to a Richard Hendrickson RMC article on the project (5/93), and learned that the BL kit had MDC origins. Thanks to all who responded -- Brian Carlson, Joe Binish, Fenton Wells, Robert Heninger, Dan Smith, Clark Propst, and Steve Hile.
Other references which offered additional prototype photos and comments -- MR 8/87, MM 3/92, Steam Era Freight Car Reference Manual Vol 3, Classic Freight Cars Vol. 3.
Despite its 1946 build date, the Cudahy car is a design throwback with many 1920's features -- 36' length, wooden carbody, etc. It has some interesting details -- a recessed retainer valve, an angle brace running much of the length of the sidesill, body-brace boltheads at the corners, Acme ventilators (upper-center on each end), and National B-1 trucks.
Richard once again demonstrates his eye for detail and excellent modeling in the RMC article, and anyone else doing the project will find it a valuable reference. Note that his starting point is a truss-rodded MDC "old timer" reefer, which has some carbody differences (roof, hatches, underbody) vs. my later-era non-truss rod MDC kit. I followed much of Richard's lead, but deviated here and there, such as scratchbuilding the ends and retaining the diecast underframe. Decals are K4 and trucks Kadee.
With my stash of resin kits now running on empty, I continue to have fun reinventing some of the vintage styrene kits.
Regards,
Bob Chapman
--
Brian J. Carlson, P.E.
Cheektowaga NY
Frank Hodina
Gorgeous model! Do plan on releasing a kit of this car sometime next year. Retiring in February and after that it's full time RCW. Have general arrangement and brake arrangement drawings fron the National Museum of Transportation for the 1946 ACF built cars, Lot 2847, in the 5701-5850 series. And yes the cars had wood framing tied together with steel rods. The general arrangement surprise is that these cars had plywood roof sheathing.
Frank Hodina
Resin Car Works
Frank Hodina
Resin Car Works
Paul Doggett
Bob
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That’s a really nice looking model.
Paul Doggett
On 11 Aug 2022, at 16:17, golden1014 via groups.io <golden1014@...> wrote:
Hey Bob, I forgot to ask--what decals did you use? Did you use the new set from K4? John Golden
Bob Chapman
First -- thanks to all for the encouragement!
John Golden asks:
1) Can you tell us a little more about the prototype? Who built these cars, and were similar types built for other companies?
2) Are the decals the new ones from K4?
John:
1) I have little native knowledge of these cars, but there's quite a bit of background along the lines you ask in the four references listed in the original post.
2) Yes, the decals are K4. They are slightly oversized (obvious when comparing their length vs. prototype photos), but otherwise very nicely done. Not something I'm losing sleep over.
Regards,
Bob Chapman