Heavy Weight Observation Cars

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

Greetings.

I am modeling - well detailing actually - in HO scale an Athearn Observation Car. Although this section of the model is quite small in area I would like to include prototypical deck material at the exterior viewing platform. I have no clue as to what material might have been used by the manufacture of the prototype - wood, steel, carpet, Linoleum? An added complication is that I am attempting to achieve an observation car that was painted silver - shadow lined and designed to run on lightweight S/S trains.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Bruce

2

Diamond plate steel.

Dave H.

3

The shadow lining shouldn’t be too difficult, using either paint or decal stripes. If I recall correctly, most of these cars received this effect only from the sill to the belt line.

Wayne

4

Thank you both, Wayne and Dave H - for your help on this one. Much appreciated.

Cheers

Bruce

5

Hello Bruce,

Microscale makes a decal set, no. 87-1243, for “Santa Fe (ATSF) Passenger Car Shadow Stripes.” On Santa Fe cars the letter board area was striped as well as the side sheets below the belt rail, with an un-striped box for the road name, which is included in the Microscale set. Also, observation car floor plans often indicate some kind of linoleum or rubber tile flooring for observation platorms.

So long,

Andy

6

Cheers, Andy.

Thank you for your additional help.

I model the SAL, but I am sure the Sante Fe decals from Microscale will suit my model just as well.

Many thanks.

Bruce.