O Scale 2R LN Orange PS-3 HT

This is a repainted Lionel model modified with AtlasO trucks.  I made the decals for these using the lettering diagram and discussion with Curt Fortenberry.  The trucks even have the appropriate white labeling per the diagrams. Standard magnetic airhoses and cutlevers were added as well.  Photos below:

Side View.

Side View - Left.

Side View - Right.  ACI label is from microscale.

Angle - End View.

Lightly weathered interior since NEW in 1971, the last year or so in my timeframe.

O Scale 2R LN PS2-CD Coke Breeze LO

With the help of Steve Johnson, whom I'd consider a very knowledgeable L&N fan, I was able to draw a near 100% complete and accurate set of decals for the coke breeze P-S covered hoppers.  The main difference would be the multiple hatches on the AtlasO model vs. the one hatch on the prototype and the warnings associated with those hatches.

There were no special additions to the car, just repainting the car.  This car does has decals on the tops of the trucks, but they are hard to see, but were in the diagrams I saw, so I had them made.   I believe I bought the car used as part of the roofwalk was broken out of the box.  Pictures below and as with every blog post - are clickable for HI-RES versions.

Side View

Close up Side - Left.

Close Up Side - Right

End View - B Side.  Lettering on Reservoir not seen due to lighting.

Close up of Hatch warning label.

Every hatch has the same warning label.

late 1960's REAX BE Express Car

It's been awhile since I've posted any work.  I was waiting until I progressed further with the layout itself so I could display the new cars I've done with a decent background.  That was taking far too long, so here is one of the new cars I've repainted.

The original REA express cars from Weaver are all before my era as far as paint is concerned.  I needed an even lighter colored car and the new diamond REA emblem.

I did what research I could and Bob Heil was able to get me a photo from a book that showed what these cars looked like in the late 60's.  I used that photo and several others to reconstruct the lettering on the car (albeit slight liberties with a few portions of the text) and made my own decals.  I repainted a weaver car using testor's green zinc chromate enamel paint.  

I went through an ordeal of spraying this non-acrlyic paint and have come to the decision that even if the color exists in another type of paint I will mix and match any acrylic paint I need to until I get the right shade I want.  I don't want to be stuck buying expensive thinners that only work with one brand of paint.  This car took months to finally degas in my car due to using a lacquer thinner instead of testors thinner, but the lesson was learned and the car still came out nicely.  

The trucks also received the same green per prototype and these cars were taken over by Chicago Leasing Company, thus the CDRX reporting marks instead of REAX.  The middle ladders were constructed out of soldered brass using the photo as well.  I went ahead and bought a set of Rod Miller's castings for close-coupling capabilities of these cars.  They take a little work but make them look much nicer.

  

 Prototype Photo

 

 The difference of greens...the original up top and the chromate to the right.

 Right side of car.

End of the car with the Rod Miller close-coupling specialty piece.

Second end photo.

Top left of car side.  Typically listed paint used and date.

Info lifted off the prototype photo for the bottom right of the car.

Side view.

The car completely apart and paint stripped.

How I mask off trucks for repainting without taking out the wheels.