Built my first train; a vat flat. I believe it to be the first ever 7/8n2 car ever built entirely from scratch parts without using any tools except a screwdriver.
Built it from the wheels up using absolutely no railroad parts starting with wheels using washers, nuts and screws.
coupler parts (pin is Arrow Rivet Remaches 1/8" 3mm steel–shows the long one and how it is trimmed to be shorter; link is made from AGR-Test Replacement Links #41 Offset link–shows the link with the pin that comes with it that is taken out by removing the cotter pin. Into that hole goes a screw to hold the link to the body). All parts from Lowe’s. Total cost of building entire car is about $3. Used cedar wood, stained with Water Thompson seal. Bearings for the axle are made from cut sections of copper gas tubing (Lowe’s) stuck in hole drilled out. Vat is can of Manhattan chowder cut with hacksaw. Casting Resin poured in. These cars simulate water cars or even molasses cars in service on narrow gauge lines.