Freight Car Models – Notes on Designing, Building, and Operating Model Railroads

Roster shots

This 36-foot C&O boxcar is one of my recent builds. This resin kit and the decals were created by a friend.

I often snap photos of projects as they progress on my workbench. It is so easy to capture images with a cell phone, point and shoot camera, or a digital SLR. I’m able to share ideas and techniques with friends and I can send out a call for help when I screw something up.

Easy boxcar update

I like to wrap up a project or two before a prototype modeler meet so I can take the models for display. A couple of months ago I came across an Accurail 36-foot boxcar that I had detailed but had not completed. That’s how the model appeared when I decided to finish it off.

Detailing an Accurail Fowler boxcar

Manny Jacob sent along his techniques to upgrade the Accurail Fowler boxcar kit. Here’s Manny with the details.

I was excited when Accurail added a Fowler boxcar to their product lineup as this famous Canadian boxcar design can be quickly added to a freight car fleet at an affordable price. I purchased a couple kits to add to my fleet. One car was factory painted and lettered and the other was undecorated.

Tidbits

It’s been hot and humid in middle Tennessee, plus I’ve been in and out of town. I haven’t done much modeling but a couple of tasks were completed. The lead photo shows the M-15 boxcar trucks. Of course, the B&O couldn’t use the same type of trucks on different car sub-classes. It’s just another detail to work through as the models await a decent day for the spray booth.

What’s Next?

After wrapping up the Westerfield Models B&O M-15b and M-15d boxcar kits, it’s time for something new. Like many modelers, I am not lacking for a new project.