Need help with N scale sleeper for Amtrak North Star.

[nickelplate759]

The CZ had two different styles 10-6 sleepers.
 The original cars  had  mirror-image window arrangements, with 12 windows on each side.  This is the prototype in Kato's CZ set. 

The later 10-6 cars  had 12 windows on one side, and 9 on the aisle side.  This is prototype for for Kato's standalone Budd Burlington 10-6 sleeper (the one with the removable roof).   CB&Q used these cars in other trains as well.

ConCor's 10-6 is a mongrel - it has the window arrangement of the original CZ car, but the smooth letterboardof the UP Pacific cars (and I think some Santa Fe Pine cars), and a skirt arrangement different from all of them.  It's still a pretty good stand-in.

[wcfn100]

I put in a request for the Pacific series sleeper in PHII or III.  It only took 10 years for my only successful request to happen, so well see what gets here first, the sleeper or my AARP membership.   

Jason

[bbussey]

Yeah, but I don't think separately.  And I won't buy the whole set just for the sleeper and sell the rest.  I' m not crazy like you. 

That's debateable. 

I actually need most of the set, so it's not a cherry-picking situation.  This time. 

However, I'd wager you'll see Pacific cars on eBay once the set is released.

[jmlaboda]

The original cars  had  mirror-image window arrangements, with 10 windows on each side.  This is the prototype in Kato's CZ set.

You might need to go back and count those windows again because there is not 10 windows on each side.

Ex UP Pacific series, No idea how many Amtrak owned...

That answer can be found here...

http://n-scalevarnish.info/index/varnish/UsersGuide/AMTK2b.htm

[nickelplate759]

You might need to go back and count those windows again because there is not 10 windows on each side.

That answer can be found here...

http://n-scalevarnish.info/index/varnish/UsersGuide/AMTK2b.htm

Umm, 11 and 9 (forgot the little windows!), not counting the doors.
Fixed original post

[nkalanaga]

UP's Pacific series were also common on the early Amtrak Empire Builder.  Before repainted cars became common it almost looked like a BN train, but one or two UP sleepers appeared often enough to be considered "normal"

[Sokramiketes]

Watch the letter board in the photos. The full length smooth letter board identifies it as a UP car, but if you see a short letter board with the same window pattern it could be a Q or Santa Fe car. With skirts it would be the Q car you found in Katos parts store. Without skirts it would be the Santa Fe car which will be available in the two-car set that is coming from Kato.

The latter would be a good option over the full Southwestern set.

[wcfn100]

So the 'Willie James' sleeper from the UP Excursion set is up on Ebay.  To me it looks like one of the 'Pacific' series sleepers I want, I just wanted to check if that's right.

Don't know if I'll spend $36 for it especially with grey trucks, but maybe I'll put in an offer.


Jason

[nickelplate759]

The Willie James car show some signs of modernization (e.g. the diaphragms have been replaced) beyond what would have been done when your photo of the North Star was taken.  However, the diaphragms should be easy to replace for back-dating.

George

[jmlaboda]

The Walthers car I believe has a different window pattern.

Wrong corrugation, wrong roof, wrong builder... WKW's sleeper is a Pullman Standard prototype.

So the 'Willie James' sleeper from the UP Excursion set is up on Ebay.  To me it looks like one of the 'Pacific' series sleepers I want, I just wanted to check if that's right.

Actually it is spot on.  The Willie James was formerly UP's Pacific Domain in a previous life... ironically it is not correct for the Willie James since when it was converted to a dorm car some windows were plated over.  But, thankfully, it is perfect for modeling a UP or AMTK Pacific-series sleeper!!!  Here's to hoping that you can get one at a good price!!!

[bbussey]

Or, you could wait for the Kato set!    Someone will piece it out, or there will be spare cars available from Kato parts.

[wcfn100]

Actually it is spot on.  The Willie James was formerly UP's Pacific Domain in a previous life... ironically it is not correct for the Willie James since when it was converted to a dorm car some windows were plated over.  But, thankfully, it is perfect for modeling a UP or AMTK Pacific-series sleeper!!!  Here's to hoping that you can get one at a good price!!!

Thanks for the info.  With the painting I'd have to do and the grey trucks, I doubt the offer I would put in would be accepted, but I may still worth a try.

Or, you could wait for the Kato set!    Someone will piece it out, or there will be spare cars available from Kato parts.

Yeah, ultimately that's probably the best idea.  Besides, I haven't even order the Amfleet 1 cars yet and probably will just wait until they show up.  We'll see how eager I am about all this at that time.

Jason

[mcjaco]

Rephasing Kato cars is easy too.  Just hit the stripes with 90% ISO, and the pad printing comes off without messing with the silver underlying paint. 

I'm currently doing it to a Superliner and a baggage car, and did it on my Cabbage.

[nscaler711]

@mcjaco wonder if that would work on a Ph III P42... I need to make one a P40 so it will need the faded stripes and a hostler window... I've had the decals, but I am too afraid ill screw up the silver paint... Screw up silver paint and the whole thing will need to be repainted... (I learned the hard way on a HO GP60 that I built.)

[mcjaco]

@nscaler711 It'll take some work, but it will come off.  The silver will stay.  Trust me.