What is the best way to install the doors on a 40’ Athearn Blue Box freight car? I do not want to break the glide hinges trying to force them in place. Is there a secret to doing this an easy way that can be shared with me? Thanks.
Quick method: See if the top guide rail on the body will come off. On some units that have been exposed to heat, they can be difficult to remove. But if not, the rail can be wiggled out. Slide each door on to the bottom door guides, slide into the closed position, then reinstall the top guide rail on to the body over the door.
I figured it out. And I did not have to remove the top guide rail. First, I had to clean off some flashing on the bottom door guides. Then I slid them on starting of the left side of the box car. The mistake I made before was starting on the right side. Once the bottom door guides were in place, I slid the door towards the center, then bowed just a little and slipped the top of the door into the top guides. I was making it harder than it was.
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Antonio, I finally figured out your method a couple of years ago. Unfortunately I’ve only had the need to use it a few times since.
Regards, Chris
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JPD, good going! Glad that you got the doors on.
Unfortunately, on another car I was decaling I snapped one of the doors in half! However, I found a dealer on ebay with replacement doors that arrived in just three days. The color was a perfect match. The Copper Range box car is now done.
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JPD, I empathize as I snapped a door in two also. Glad that you were able to obtain replacements. Would be cool to see photos of your box car 
Sorry for taking so long to post a photo of the box car with the replacement doors. I had to hunt for it on my layout. This is my second decal attempt. Happy with it.
I’ve seen occasional boxcars with a door that didn’t match the car’s color, including a double-door car with one mismatched door. Could be the original door was damaged and had to be replaced?