Twin Cities Zephyr Dome Observation

[Sokramiketes]

Glad to see all the interest in the Wabash car.  I am more interested in finishing the Blue Bird, but the Q car made sense first with its full skirts and more corrugations on the obs end.  I was stagnant on the casting part, and Bill stepped in there to speed up the project.  I will try to get the Wabash master finished in a timely manner after the holidays.

The CZ Obs parts help, as the TCZ car can use the full observation lighting set up from the CZ car.  If you're not too worried about the lights, then it would also be pretty easy to just use an under frame from the original Kato corrugated dome car release, as 80% of the car is that car anyway... just need to carve the round end ons part in.  The truck spacing should be perfect and the dome floor more appropriate without modifications.

Anyway, the goal is to have cars that look as close to Kato factory cars as possible, to blend with the stock cars they've done.  That doesn't make it cheap to grab all the window inserts and parts needed, but in the end it looks factory and might be worth it to a select few of us!

[CBQ Fan]

I am going to need the under frame as well.  Kato must not have had very many as I placed the order very early after the announcement. 

[CBQ Fan]

Also Microscale is out of the proper decal sheet.  What does it take for them to rerun a new stock?

[Kisatchie]

Also Microscale is out of the proper decal sheet.  What does it take for them to rerun a new stock?

Usually, it's a bunch of requests. I emailed Microscale earlier this year, asking them to reissue Southern Box Car set 60-14, and they did this November. I made sure to write them and thank them.


Hmm... that sounds
reasonable...

[CBQ Fan]

Email sent referencing arrival of the new shell that will require this sheet.

[nickelplate759]

Will the classroom the CZ dome coach fit it must it be from the original Kato Budd dome coach?

[MRLX1020]

Silver View/Vista are based on the TCZ dome coaches, which are largely different from the CZ dome coaches.

TCZ - short distance cars
CZ - long distance cars

difference seat pitch, different window layout, different luggage rack layout...

CZ coaches are close enough that I have made a slab sided former GN Amtrak 9400 series dome coach from one...

[skytop35]

Will the classroom the CZ dome coach fit it must it be from the original Kato Budd dome coach?

Use the Original Kato Budd Dome Coach glass.

[CBQ Fan]

Is the rock island lettering a match for the Q?

[PAL_Houston]

I received my TCZ dome-observation casting on Friday, and got the flashing cleaned up and a coat of primer on it last night.  This is a really nice model!
What is the best paint to use for stainless Budd cars, and what are your tips and tricks for spray application?
And no, Rock Island lettering is not like Burlington

[PAL_Houston]

PS: For the brave who don't mind piecing together car names one letter at a time, it should be possible to use Microscale 60-752 decals to make up either Silver View or Silver Vista.  (And I have a spare set or two -- PM me if interesred.)

[jmlaboda]

And no, Rock Island lettering is not like Burlington

The RI lettering does match that of the Burlington.  It can be seen in a number of different shots of passenger equipment.

[PAL_Houston]

The RI lettering does match that of the Burlington.  It can be seen in a number of different shots of passenger equipment.

You are right of course, at least for some of CRIP's Budd Rocket equipment they used a font like Burlington's.  I don't know where the font actually originated, since it was used on the Cal. Zephyr's, I assume it was something originated by or for Budd and offered to customers like CRIP or CB&Q and WP and D&RGW. 

[CBQ Fan]

You are right of course, at least for some of CRIP's Budd Rocket equipment they used a font like Burlington's.  I don't know where the font actually originated, since it was used on the Cal. Zephyr's, I assume it was something originated by or for Budd and offered to customers like CRIP or CB&Q and WP and D&RGW.

The font goes back to the original Zephyr which predates the CZ by a long shot.  PZ 1934, CZ 1949.

[PGE_Modeller]

For those who would like to create their own decals, a "Zephyr" font is available for about $15.00 from Benn  Coifman's "Railfonts.com";
http://www.railfonts.com/cgi-bin/font_shop/fontshop.cgi?ACTION=enter&thispage=page9.html.

This company has a collection of approximately 50 railroad related fonts for use on home computers. 

The usual disclaimer: I have no connection with Railfonts.com other than as a satisfied customer.

Cheers,