details – Page 3 – Notes on Designing, Building, and Operating Model Railroads

What is box car red?

Six cars with new decals are ready for the next step.

Freight car colors are a constant topic with many modelers. We aim to paint our models reflecting the prototypes as closely as possible. The lead photo here represents my efforts on six Accurail USRA double-sheathed box car kits. The photo captures them after the gloss coat dried to seal the Westerfield Models decals.

Resin parts prep

I fielded a couple recent questions concerning how I build resin kits. One question was repeated among a few different people in regards to prepping the small resin kit parts. Many kits come with a sheet of parts similar to that seen in the lead photo. How are those prepped?

Prototype finds

My wife and I were driving around our new area recently and we stumbled upon a small railroad museum in Newtown Square, Penna. An old box car caught my eye and we had to circle back for a closer look.

Weathering steps

After building, painting, and decaling a freight car model, it’s time to apply weathering so it looks like it’s been traveling a few thousand miles. The lead image shows the final appearance. Let’s take a look at the steps taken to arrive there.

Carmer uncoupling levers

*End view of DL&W 44317 on Pier 2 at Jersey City/Hoboken, NJ, ca. 1927. William B. Berry, Jr. photo from the NPS Steamtown collection*

Uncoupling levers are found on all freight cars on North American rails. In my 1926 focus, these levers would pull a pin from the top of the coupler to allow the knuckle to open. One version that was common on many early freight cars were the Carmer uncoupling levers, as seen in the DL&W box car in the lead image. These were a two-part design with many variations. Let’s review some basics and installation of these details on a few HO scale box cars.