I’ve got a rather odd project that I’ve decided to undertake this summer: I want to superdetail my old Athearn streamliner cars that I’ve inherited from my grandfather. This is more to do with the sentimental value of the cars than trying to reproduce any particular prototype. I’d like to create a consist for fantrips and special events using these cars set up in the paint colors of my commuter line, the operation would be similar to a heavy rail version of the NYC Subway’s fantrips.
The problem is, I’ve got very little idea where to begin. For the project, I have an RPO (that I’d like to convert to a bagage car,) three coaches, a diner and an observation car. I’d like to bring the cars up to the same standard of detailing as a standard Walthers or Kato passenger car, so I will need interiors and such.
My first question is simply, what prototype were these Athearn cars based on? I know they’re shortys and not of prototypical length but was there a real car that the details and window layout was based upon?
Secondly, I’ve seen the very cool effect that can be created with metalization, using model car or airplane paints and was wondering exactly how this is done?
Third, are there any avalible interiors and/or superdetailing kits?
I hope I can be of some help as I traded my entire Athearn shorty fleet years ago. The Athearn shorty streamliners are generic and do not represent a specific prototype, although the corrugated roof lines move them a “slight notch closer” towards SF Budds.
A. For interiors:
If you’re on a budget, the IHC one-piece interiors are o.k. They must be shortened. Easy method: cut off both vestibule ends. Trim the shortened floor ends and sides to fit.
Nicer and more “$”, Palace Cars makes interior kits for the Athearns.
1. After stripping off the original paint finish and cleaning the shell, paint it with a high gloss black. I prefer to apply Scale Coat II, #2010, with an airbrush (also available in rattle cans). The smoother the results, the better. Allow at least a day for it to cure.
2. The Alclad II Chrome is ready to spray, just pour into your airbrush jar. A safe air pressure range for application is 15 to 20 psi. The fan should be narrow, not wide. Spray as if you were using a paint brush in long strokes. I prefer to allow the 1st coat to set up 15 minutes before applying the 2nd coat. By your second coat you should see some nice results. Apply a 3rd coat 15 minutes later, only if you can still se
The Athearn stremeline passenger cars are loosely based on Santa Fe equipment. To detail the interior I would fill the box in the centre of the cars with lesd bird shot and then make a cover/floor to allow for an interior. some .015 sheet styrene should work for the cover.floor. There are several sources for interiors as mentioned in the above post.
The baggage car would have nothing in it except for a messengers station and possibly fish racks. The RPO would have all the mail sorting equipment in it. The coach of course has seats and washrooms. With the vestabule on your left the first three windows are the womens washroom. Diagonally across the car there is a small window at the end of the car. That is the mens washroom. You can yse sheet styrene to build the walls of the washrooms. Red Cap makes the sinks and toilets for them.
The Observation is based on the “Valley” series cars which have bedrooms in them and a lounge at the rear. With the vestabule to your right the windows are all bedroom windows until just past the centre of the car. The windows on the other side are for the passageway. Some years ago Railroad Model Craftsman had plans for this car in one issue.
The dome and diner are based on cars used on the Super Chief. RMC had plans for them as well. All the cars are short being 72 feet instead of 86 feet. Athearn did an excellent job of disguising that fact when making the cars.
Might contact RMC to see if you can get copies of the articles with the plans.
I’ve done a set of standard Athearn ATSF cars, and also a streamlined set. You can obviously get into this as light or heavy as you wish.
I started with Intermountain 36" metal wheels, and light weathering on the trucks. Next came KD couplers, and American Standard Diaphrams (spell?).
I decided not to light up the cars, and tinted the “glass” a metallic green/blue (on the inside). Lastly, I touched up or repainted the cars, and added decals as needed.
Funny thing, these are mostly NOT of prototypical length, but they really look nice in a 12 - 14 car train.
I almost forgot to give you my “attaboy” for what you are doing. Your grandfather would be extremely proud that you are taking his hobby to heart. You are to be commended!
I am 63, have a “ton of trains” - HO & postwar Lionel - and 4 kids and 7 grandchildren that have no interest in the hobby. Of course they like to see Dad’s trains, but the hobby is just not for them. It would be so nice to someday have a grand kid - or great grand kid - that would love the hobby as I do.
I’d like to thank everyone for thier feedback, it’s been most helpful in this project!
I’ve finalized the fictional history for these cars: Being that my main passenger line is a heavy rail commuter operation inspired by the MTA’s Metro North and Long Island systems, (which both used streamliner equipment at some point). I’m going to use a diner, three coach, observation setup that will be used in special “heritage train” service (kind of like what the NYC Subway does with their museum cars). As such, the diner will be converted into a snack and bar car, and the sleeper section of the observation car will hold on-train reservable offices/meeting rooms kind of like what Amtrak has with the Acela.
I’ve still got a couple questions regarding the interiors however:
First, Pennsy diagrams state that the P70 coach (which was used a lot in commuter runs) fits 88 passengers. With that car being 80’ long, would about 60-70 seats be right for this one at 72’? Second, being that it is used in commuter service, should I go with bench seating, instead of individual? Every commuter train I’ve ever been in (with the exception of the gallery seats on Chicago area trains) had bench seating. Finally, sadly I’ve never gotten to ride in one of the LIRR’s bar cars, does anyone know where I could find a floorplan for them?