I’m modeling the 1950’s version of Rio Grande’s ROYAL GORGE–the one that was a mixture of streamline, older Pullman Standard, and pulled by one of the big 1800 series 4-8-4’s. So far I’ve had good luck with everything except the dome cars. Now I know that Rio Grande bought some second hand C&O domes from their ill-fated “Chessie” streamliners, but I just can’t find any in HO. Walthers makes some Budds, but not in Rio Grande colors (and unfortunately, I can’t do any spray-painting anymore due to a lung condition).
Anyone got any ideas on the domes–without my spending an arm or a leg on custom-painted brass? I just can’t find a THING!
I don’t know how prototypically accurate you are looking to be, but IHC might have what you are looking for. Here is the Walthers page for their Rio Grande stuff. There is a dome in there…
Edit: they have both a fluted and smooth side dome.
Thanks for the information. I may have to go with IHC, even though they’re Pullman and not Budd. I’ve tinkered around with the IHC cars before, and with a little work, they can be made into some pretty decent cars. And I know that IHC also carries interior and lighting kits, also.
As CSSmith indicates, I don’t know how prototypical you are trying to be, but what about the BLI California Zephyr domes? They are definitely Budd. I think one could paint an Aspen Gold stripe over the simulated stainless steel. You would have to live with the skirts as I don’t think they are removable. I have been pondering this ever since Electrolove started his Royal Gorge layout and I’ve been researching the Monarch Branch.
Actually, I’ve been contemplating the BLI Budd domes–they’re certainly closer to the ex-Chessies than the IHC’s. I’m not too worried about the skirt-issue. I’d have to do a little ‘tweaking’ on the dome-observation, since the photos I’ve seen show that either Rio Grande or Chessie put an opening and diaphragms on the observation end.
Only problem is still painting the little devils. But I could probably find a custom-painter in my area to do the four-stripe scheme. Not that I’m lazy, but I’m not supposed to be around spray-paint anymore.
Don’t know why Walthers doesn’t do the Rio Grande scheme–they’ve got all their other Budd and Pullman-standard streamline cars in the scheme.
Oh, well–but I sure don’t want a ‘domeless’ Royal Gorge, LOL!
It takes some work to make them look compatible with the best of today’s models, but don’t overlook the old all-metal Herkimer/OK line of streamlined passenger car kits. I think they offered several dome cars. You may simply need to find a friend or hire someone to do the necessary painting
Dave–I didn’t realize that Herkimer was still in business. I remember them from my old Varney/Athearn metal kit days, LOL! Think I’ll look into it. Thanks.
I didn’t figure clearances were a concern, I just didn’t realize that the Rio Grande got any domes from the C&O. Speaking of the Chessie, when I was looking for that dome I found quite a few prototype pics of cars that were supposed to be used on the stillborn “The Chessie” passenger train, and with the release of the C&O turbine from Overland, I am really tempted to model a train that never existed (well at least it did on paper). Thanks a lot for sending me down the path of yet another modeling project!![;)]
Oops, sorry about that, LOL! But when you get your “Chessie” done, let me know how you did that big, hunking steam turbine that C&O was going to use as power, okay? Holy cow, I wish someone would produce that monster in HO, I’d get one just for the heck of it.
Yah, evidently Rio Grande bought a couple of dome coaches and a dome observation from the Chessie for their Royal Gorge. They outfitted the dome obs with an end door so it could be run in the middle of the train (!?). The 1950 version of the train is about the wildest thing I’ve ever seen. Really unique.
Edit: Somebody else did a run of those in brass some time back, and they are awesome models as well. I sometimes see them pop up on eBay and they go from anywhere from $900 to $1700. I would heavily consider saving up for a brand new Overland model though (they can be had for well below retail from some brass dealers). I just looked and Uncle Dave’s Brass has them listed at $1700!!
I don’t know about you, but to me that big turbine is one DELICIOUS looking loco! Of course, I shouldn’t look at it TOO long, because the color scheme is practically the same as the Rio Grande “Royal Gorge” scheme and all I’d need are a few Rio Grande decals–plus about $2100, LOL!
Yeah, I am supposed to be concentrating on a late '50s Sunset Limited right now, so I need not get distracted by shiney things. I don’t know how I would justify a C&O steam turbine rumbling through Presidio, Texas (the southern terminus on my layout). I swear Brian Marsh is trying to break me.
That dome car looks quite similar to the one still in use on the Grand Canyon Railway. IIRC there was an HO model of it available - think it now runs under the car name Kokopelli. J.R.
If you look at the ads in the back of an MR issue, there are firms that will paint things for you. I haven’t used any so I cannot recommend (or badmouth, either) anybody. This might help your breathing out a bit, though.
Does anybody make stripe decals in your color? That could get the job done, too.
Thanks for the information. And yes, Microscale makes the 4-stripe decals–they’re basically for using on the diesel locos, but can be adapted to the cars quite easily. Again, thanks for the info, I’ll take a gander at the ads in MR.
I know you said you weren’t interested in spending a bundle on brass, but just in case you become desperate, Division Point is relesing a Royal Gorge passenger set which includes the funky looking ex C&O dome car. It looks like one can purchase the whole set or individual cars. Just throwing out another alternative
Thanks for the information. If the cars are indivually available and don’t cost an arm or leg, it would actually be nice to have one of the original ex-Chessie domes, especially since the Walther’s cars I’ve purchased so far seem to fit the bill pretty well for the rest of the train.
Again, thanks for the infor, I’ll take a look into that.
Find a photo (they’re common) of the Big Ben owned by Butterworth Tours and used on the RI for a number of years, and you’ve got the prototype. That’s the ex-Chessie dome obs DRGW ran–with the modification to the round end for mid-train service. Note that the dome is best described as a hybrid between the quarter-round later Budds and the squared off P-S cars. So if you want to be accurate, you’re probably going to have to wing it and do some scratch work.
That modification/diaphragm addition got made to a lot of round ends where the owner didn’t want to pay to square it off. Some of the most bizarre were done by RI to the old Golden Rocket/Golden State cars, where they spliced onto the curve close to the outside. Of course the most bizarre was the RI’s Missouri, the only boat-tail baggage compartment in history (the 1-2 pax/year who rode it were in the vestibule end).
