trying to figure out how to model a Yosemite Valley boxcar

[johnb]

This months Model Railroad Hobbyist has a great article about modeling a Yosemite Valley boxcar. Jack Burgess goes into great detail about these cars in HO. While I know that I am not in the same league as Jack, I would like a YV car that is close enough to pass for the prototype. My first idea was MTL's 042 series car due to the sides and floor, but the ends are too far off.


Is there a closer starting point out there?

[Spikre]

 
   remove all the End details.
   file down the end ribs flat.
   scribe in end boards.
   add correct as possible new End Details.
   make the steel fishbelly side girders from styrene.
   don't be disappointed if some parts don't look good
   the 1st try, make new parts until they look rite.
   then paint and decal the finished car.
      Spikre
       

[loyalton]

You might start with a 40' wood-ended reefer. You'd have the wood ends. You'd have to eliminate the roof hatches and ladders, add boxcar doors and build the inset fishbelly sill and grabs. The I/M one might be the easiest choice. Also check out mmagliaro's concurrent NP 39000-series box car build thread where he plans on splicing wood ends onto a wood side box car.

Jack Burgess says the B-50-1/2/4 that you're probably thinking of is 14" lower than the B-50-5. Per diagram in "Southern Pacific Freight Cars" Vol. 4, the B-50-5 is 13' 3-1/8" railtop to rooftop. So make it 11' 11" for the B-50-1/2/4. Guessing 4" or so for the lowest part of the exposed sill and with 33" wheels slightly covered by the sill, figure 3' for their combined height, making the wood body 8' 11" tall.