Truss Rods

Truss rods from fishing line with Grandt turn buckles on a reefer.

Truss Rods

Truss rods on Chivers box car with Grandt turn buckles.

Box Car Progress

Brake hoses used on the Marsh Creek box car. I got them from my local Walthers dealer.

Box Car Progress

Here's a picture of the brake hose. It is rubber so it won't cause derailments or interfere with the coupler.

Box Car Progress

All under body details are now complete. Just have to add the brake staff and wheel and the painting can start. Brake hoses have been added though they might not be visible because they are black.

Box Car Progress

Box car with stirrups and an additional grab iron at the non ladder end. It seemed strange to have a stirrup at the end with no grab iron. How is a brakeman to use a stirrup without a grab iron? The needle beams were also moved closed to the center because the truss rods would interfere with the truck swing. This kit was designed for use with Marsh Creek 3D printed trucks which are likely shorter than the ones I am using. The added bonus is that it justifies the split brake cylinder and reservoir configuration because the combined cylinder and reservoir are now too long to fit between the beams.

Box Car Progress

As a reference for brake cylinder and reservoir locations I used the photo on page 94 of Linwood Moody's book The Maine Two Footers. This photo shows the aftermath of the wreck of engine No. 24 on the Madrid Village bridge and a bottom view of 2 pulpwood cars along with brake details. Because I am building this model only for viewing with the car on the track I won't include all brake details.

New Box Car

Details added such as grab irons, brake cylinders, queen posts and nut-bolt-washers castings. Because I model Maine 2 foot narrow gauge I supplemented the kits details with brake details and queen posts to match those prototypes.

Box Car Progress

Box car with roof, load and roof walk supports added.

New Box Car

A shot of details included in the kit and the drawing from the instructions. The preformed grab irons are nice. I don't like bending my own.  

New Box Car Progress

Doors and door tracks added. Roof will be glued on after the cargo is added. The roof was sprayed with cheap primer to hide the wood grain and simulate the smooth surface of a metal roof.

Marsh Creek Link

Here is the URL for Marsh Creek Miniatures, who produces the box car kit I am building. This is their 20 foot box car kit.

http://www.marshcreekmini.com/

The kit comes less trucks, couplers and decals.I used the Microtrains 1023 couplers.

The trucks are Model Railroad General Store Gilpin HOn30 trucks with NWSL wheels. They are smaller than the Grandt HOn30 trucks, but longer than the N scale Microtrains arch bar trucks.

One More Photo

Top View showing the interior. The floor was stained with a wash of Van Dyke brown acrylic paintm

Another Photo

Side shot. The smudges are rubber cement that will be removed after painting to simulate peeling paint.

More box car pics

A shot showing the frame with trucks and couplers mounted.

New Marsh Creek Miniatures Box Car Kit

 

I recently bought a Marsh Miniatures box car kit. It is nicely done. It fits together nicely. Shown here are the sides, ends and floor installed over the frame. The floor has been stained with a wash. The sides, ends and roof walk have been weathered with Weather-It. More pictures later.