09-21-2011, 06:40 PM
Hi Everyone,
It’s been a while since I started this layout build and I think it time for an update.
I have been doing the final assembly/work on my fleet of Walthers Airslide hoppers and I would like some opinions on a final detail. Five out of the seven cars have been assembled out of old kits and while building them, I decided to add or change some details. On the roof walkway I carved off the grab bars and added new wire ones. Underneath, I changed the brake valve thingie to one that I had in the scrap box that looked much better scale wise. 36” metal wheel sets were added as well as Kadee’s 158 scale size whisker couplers. The couplers needed new gear boxes and a red fiber washer (.015") installed to get them to the correct height, because with the 36” wheels and the stock gear box the couplers were too high.
The last detail that I am thinking of changing is the stirrup steps (am I calling them by the right name?), but I am concerned by how fragile they will ultimately be. These cars will be pulled on and off the layout a lot and I don’t want to make them too easy to damage. Also, these cars aren’t detailed like many of the cars are today. There are a lot of crude cast on details, such as grab bars, that wouldn’t make sense for me to remove and replace as I don’t have tons of time and patience. So...does it make sense to change out the steps, will it look ok with the other cast on detail or is it a lot of work to do for a very small payback?
Your opinions and suggestions are most welcome.
Thanks,
Mark
ps: Roofwalks and bodys are still loose to facilitate weathering.
It’s been a while since I started this layout build and I think it time for an update.
I have been doing the final assembly/work on my fleet of Walthers Airslide hoppers and I would like some opinions on a final detail. Five out of the seven cars have been assembled out of old kits and while building them, I decided to add or change some details. On the roof walkway I carved off the grab bars and added new wire ones. Underneath, I changed the brake valve thingie to one that I had in the scrap box that looked much better scale wise. 36” metal wheel sets were added as well as Kadee’s 158 scale size whisker couplers. The couplers needed new gear boxes and a red fiber washer (.015") installed to get them to the correct height, because with the 36” wheels and the stock gear box the couplers were too high.
The last detail that I am thinking of changing is the stirrup steps (am I calling them by the right name?), but I am concerned by how fragile they will ultimately be. These cars will be pulled on and off the layout a lot and I don’t want to make them too easy to damage. Also, these cars aren’t detailed like many of the cars are today. There are a lot of crude cast on details, such as grab bars, that wouldn’t make sense for me to remove and replace as I don’t have tons of time and patience. So...does it make sense to change out the steps, will it look ok with the other cast on detail or is it a lot of work to do for a very small payback?
Your opinions and suggestions are most welcome.
Thanks,
Mark
ps: Roofwalks and bodys are still loose to facilitate weathering.