Scales and Subways

Garden Railroading
1

I’ve been wanting to kitbash some New York City Subway cars for some time and had a question about scales. The NY Subway has two dfferent divisions with different sized cars running on them. The IRT Lines (Numbered routes) use narrower and shorter cars due to tighter clearances and narrrower tunnels. The IND/BMT lines (The lettered routes) use longer, wider cars. Could I get away with using 1:24 scale for IND/BMT cars and 1:29 for IRT cars?

In addition does anybody know of any equipment that would be good for making modern subways? I was thinking Hartland coaches for vintage cars.

2

I cant help you i am sorry, have you tried modifying something similar?

Ian

3

I’ve never really tried modifying rolling stock due to my lack of skill. I was affraid of winding up with nothing more than a butchered wreck.

Anyway in looking at the photo of the cars I want to make, I thought it might be easier to scratchbuild them. Here’s a link to picture of the subways I want to model, the old R26 “Redbirds”.

4

Kinda looks like the toy I used to build my boxcab dismal.

This was a Japanese floor toy that I gutted and used the body as the cab.
I know its based on a common Japanese commuter train

Sorry, I cannot tell you what it is or who made it, I found it in a antique toy store for $20

5

http://www.mta.info/nyct/facts/ffhph3.htm

The one shown here looks a bit like a Bachmann car with the ends enclosed

the othe pattern shown on page two is similar without the end curves.

Certainly modifying the Bachman to look the same should not be difficult, just a case of fitting appropriate NWSL motors and wheels . I guess if the other pattern is similar but smaller a coach from Aristocraft or USA trains might be suited.

Personally I would start with a Bachmann coach and try it out

6

http://www.imagesreplicas.com/hosubway.htm

This company manufactur cars in HO