Twin Cities Zephyr Dome Observation

[PAL_Houston]

BUMP!

...

Has anyone come up with a close match for the Kato silver/chrome/stainless finish of the early Budd sets, which might save some time in finishing- so as not to need to refinish the dome coaches?

Tom D

I am still awaiting some discussion on getting a good stainless finish for these dome-observation cars.

Happy New Year!

[nickelplate759]

Bob, et al,

Although most who are going to build a resin shell into a Blue Bird obs would probably already know this, the car in question has gone through several private owners since its days as a Wabash car (not to mention N&W)- so there are some photos of interiors out there on the web that bear little resemblance to what the car's interior looked like when a Wabash car.  Best information on the car in Wabash service that I know about is the Winter 1995 issue of the Banner magazine (Wabash RR Hist Soc.)- which covered the Blue Bird consist.  I don't know if they still have paper copies, but if not, I have noted on their website that they will make digital copies (I think- or was it photocopies?) of out of print issues for a nominal cost.
...[rest not quoted]

Also, at some point the trucks were changed.  The trucks shown in the RCPX 1601 (museum) photo are different from the originals.
George

[peteski]

BUMP!

I am still awaiting some discussion on getting a good stainless finish for these dome-observation cars.

Happy New Year!

Paul,
I recalled this topic being here so a quick search for "stainless" produced this thread:
http://therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=22188.0
3 pages of discussion!

Alclad polished stainless over gloss black or dark blue is usually the best way to simulate this.

[PAL_Houston]

Paul,
I recalled this topic being here so a quick search for "stainless" produced this thread:
http://therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=22188.0
3 pages of discussion!

Alclad polished stainless over gloss black or dark blue is usually the best way to simulate this.

thanks, Peteski.  The article really was helpful.  Some of FP45's work appears on the Alclad website, and he seems to be knowledgeable by virtue of having tried just about everything.

[CBQ Fan]

I submitted my form to purchase the frame and interior and have not heard back yet, Bill must have some big New Years plans going down!

[peteski]

thanks, Peteski.  The article really was helpful.  Some of FP45's work appears on the Alclad website, and he seems to be knowledgeable by virtue of having tried just about everything.

You're welcome Paul.  I remember FP45's posts about this on the A-board.  He has been preachign using Alclad for years.   I use it in my automotive models (another hobby of mine), but I have yet to try it on N scale passenger cars.   One possible problem I see is that the realistic looking stainless steel cars will not match the dozens of factory decorated (with silver paint) cars I already own. And repainting my existing fleet would be a large time-consuming undertaking.

[arbomambo]

Alclad is excellent...many different shades...and if I were painting all of my stainless steel cars from the ground up, I would definitely use it, but  I believe the question really is " how does one best simulate the Kato finish ?"...I know I'll want mine to do a good job of matching the existing Zephyr cars. Alclad will produce a much more polished finish, closer to Kato's finish on the E5.
Bruce

[skytop35]

BUMP!

I am still awaiting some discussion on getting a good stainless finish for these dome-observation cars.

Happy New Year!

I use Tru-Color Silver over a gray primer. It matches the Kato finish pretty well.

[skytop35]

I submitted my form to purchase the frame and interior and have not heard back yet, Bill must have some big New Years plans going down!

Yes, I did. Check your email !

[CBQ Fan]

Yes, I did. Check your email !

Payment sent sir!  I just figured you were busy celebrating!  I knew you would not forget me!

[MRLX1020]

Ordering Kato parts for these shells - how does one obtain the end side markers?

If I order pick up strips and the light board for the obs - can the markers be made to work along with the tailsign?

Thanks for filling up what was a hole in my passenger car modeling - a friend of mine owns CB&Q 360 Silver View - currently stored in Iowa.

Justin
MRLX 1020

[CBQ Fan]

They come in the obs glass set.

[MRLX1020]

Thank you!

Justin

[skytop35]

- a friend of mine owns CB&Q 360 Silver View - currently stored in Iowa.

Justin
MRLX 1020

Justin, we have a mutual friend. Mike A. is a great guy!

[MRLX1020]

Justin, we have a mutual friend. Mike A. is a great guy!

Indeed.  I have been helping Mr. A out for almost 10 years with the View. 

It moved to Iowa as MRLX 360 several years back. 

Another friend who is new to this forum just ordered 2 of the TCZ kits from you for me to build up - anxious to get them!  He's also ready for the Wabash version when it comes up.

Did I read on here that Mr. Skibbe also has plans for the respective baggage lounge cars for TCZ and the BB?