Notes on Designing, Building, and Operating Model Railroads

Rapido Trains X23 box cars and R7 reefers

Rapido Trains recently released a couple of HO scale freight cars that fit right into my 1926 modeling focus. These models reflect Pennsylvania Railroad prototypes built in the Teens.

Special run N&W box car

The Norfolk & Western Historical Society has produced a special run of HO scale 36-foot box car kits with Accurail. These models have wood ends and a straight center sill.

Fowler Boxcar origins

Ray Breyer presented on the development of the Fowler box cars and single-sheathed box car designs at the RPM Naperville in October.

Bobbing around

It’s been a busy month with the Railroad Prototype Modeler Naperville event and a full weekend with kids and grandkids. I slipped back into modeling with a small caboose project.

Door details

*AC&F builder image from the Westerfield Models collection*

I’ve had a Funaro & Camerlengo HO scale Illinois Central automobile box car on the workbench for too many weeks. Over the last couple of days, I tackled some of the final details.