Restoration questions: lumber, cleaning aluminum, Campbell kit #377 seebold & sons mfg

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi!

I’d like to restore a kit I built a long time ago, Campbell Scale Models kit #377, “Seebold & Sons Mfg.”

Some of the wood around the base has broken, and I’m wondering: did Campbell use a standard size I can buy more of to repair the existing base (the slats and posts under the loading dock area), or do I have to rebuild that section from scratch? Trying to measure the existing wood has confused me.

The shingles are quite dusty and dirty, and probably oxidized. Any suggestions for cleaning them that won’t discolor or dent them? I’ve been considering isopropyl rubbing alcohol on a bit of sponge held in a pliers or hemostat; are there better solvents to use?

Does anyone sell instruction pages and parts lists for Campbell kits?

A few details, in case they are relevant: the sign on mine says “Campbell Supply Co.”, but it is definitely the 377 kit, not 363. Walthers has a picture here. Someone has a much better photo of their version here, but the base on theirs has five slats, not four, and the deck on theirs is made of individual boards, not one board scored to look like many.

Thanks for any help!

2

Campbell shingles are made from “Kraft packing tape” as in tape used to seal cardboard boxes. I would avoid any cleaning that made them too wet.

The wood used was Sugar Pine and was made by Campbell. Some of the shapes were special like the “Z” shape used to join the corners.

  • Correcton: Your post stated shingles, the model in question has Corrugated Aluminum siding/roofing. Alcohol may clean the roofing. Over time the aluminum will develop a white powder crust that is hard to clean.

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3

Thanks for the reply. Any idea if Campbell used standard dimensions for their lumber pieces?