I’m interested in taking a stab at one of these passenger car kits, but I’d like some input on how well they go together. I should probably start off by saying that my Branchline coach is still in the box after I wasn’t able to get the roof on…so that said, should I bother? I don’t want to start the kit vs. RTR war again, I’m just looking for someone who has actually had some experience with these kits. What car core kit did you use? Trucks? Maybe someone could do a Forum clinic on this???
Anyway, your input is greatly appriciated here. Thanks
I haven’t put any of the cars together, but I have put together 4 AMB buildings. Boy, are they NICE and fairly straightforward to put together. I would love to try out a car but there isn’t anything in my roadname…yet. I’ll be curious to hear what others have to say.
They are great great kits. I would highly suggest using Train Station Products core kits, trucks (don’t get the ones with the wheelsets, buy your own), and detail parts. Just be sure to research the prototype pics and drawings to make sure you are detailing and painting correctly http://www.trainweb.org/passengercars/ . For diaphrams I would go with American Limited Models working diaphrams. With the release of the diaphrams for the Walther’s cars, you can get the correct striker plates for Budd or Pullman cars.
The one thing you will want to invest in more than anything is patience. Just follow the dirctions carefully, and refer to this here forum whenever needed.
You should be able to complete these kits with what tools an average model railroader would have lying about, i.e. xacto, tweezers, precision screwdrivers, pin vise with bits. I would also suggest using Faller Expert plastic cement (part # 170492). It comes with a precision applicator tip and otherwise is a kick butt cement…
The most important start to working with car sides is to make sure your core kit is trued, basically that the ends are centered on the roof and are in the same position on both ends of the roof. On the TSP core kits the ends generally find where they need to be naturally. If they aren’t true you will end up with a twisted car body. Once you get the core kit together correctly, everything else will fall into place. Just be careful with the cement because it will make nasty spots on the roof, ends, or anywhere else. One easy way to get the floor supports glued into the carbody correctly is to use the floor as a guide. Insert the floor with the edge toward the roof (like a flat edge) so that it rests on the floor supports on the ends. Then using Plastruct .100" square styrene cut into about 1.5’" pieces, glue them onto the carbody along the floor you are using as a flatedge. That will put the carbody floor supports even with the end floor supports…
There are also other small details you can use to spruce up the exterior like Cal Scale passenger car air/steam lines, and Detail Associates passenger car grabs. All in all building these types of passenger cars are fun and rewarding…again…
PATIENCE!!!
Edit: Be sure to dry fit all parts before using cement. Some parts, even the car sides themselves, may need a little sanding to make a nice fit.