Fluted Side Diners coming from Lowell Smith / Railsmith

[Sokramiketes]

You're right Mike, the 1946 cars (3153-66) are longer by about 4 feet.  There were also 14 cars (3137-3150) that were nearly identical to the postwar cars (and also longer than the 1937 cars) that were delivered in 1941 with 2 more (3151-52) in 1945.

My own take on the 1937 cars when compared to the CB&Q is that the ATSF cars have the vestibule at the opposite end (and 1 large window at one end would need to become 2 small ones on 1 side).  I was tempted to chop the vestibule off one and swap ends, but I figured the seams would be more obvious than the window differences.  The other difference would be the trucks.  I have a few gooseneck brass trucks but have never gotten around to swapping them out, since the Kato's roll better.

In any case, I've been running them for 20 years as ATSF 1937 chair cars, and to date, no one viewing has noticed the window differences.  Occasionally, someone notices that the cars are a bit shorter than most other cars, but accept the explanation that the 1937 cars were shorter than later cars. 

One other upside to the cars- because they are the correct length for the 1937 cars, they are also the right length for the early SF streamlined lounges and baggage lounges, so the M&R sides for those cars are a near perfect fit.

Thanks, that helps fill in the information I was guessing at. 

I've been putting more of my trains out on display in Showcase Express cases.  And that lead to another bit of insight for me... I don't use the Kato pre-war Budd coaches for much.  So because they are rarer in and amongst all the passenger trains on display, I seem to give them more leeway for the ATSF need.  That's a little different from changing up RailSmith coaches to match railroads in order to make sure I don't just have a collection of ConCor style passenger trains.  (Same bodies, all the color schemes!)

Now, I have a faint recollection that the PRR had some pre-war Budd coaches too.  Who has insight on the viability of those Kato cars?

[Cajonpassfan]

Looks like Tom beat me to it with his accurate comments. I also agree that the cars are a good-enough stand-ins; sometimes a less then perfect final result is just not worth the effort...
Otto

[thomasjmdavis]

For the amusement of Santa Fe fans....compare the window arrangement of a 1937 Budd chair car (3072-3101) to the window arrangement of a Trix/Model Power coach.  In the dark ages, I had several of those that I used as stand ins.  My theory is that they did not want to spend the $$ to tool Budd fluting, so modeled the cars with smooth roofs and fluting that resembled Pullman Standard.  Also, I note that SF used interior dimensions to define their chair cars, so the 3072 is listed as 73'6" (over end sills)- but when the vestibule is counted, it is 78'.  The MP model scales darn close to 73'6" overall.  It is therefore 6% short in length, and it is also somewhat short in height and width.  I think they may have had a drawing without dimensions, and scaled the drawing assuming it's total length was 73'6". 

Also true for the MP observation, where the window arrangement is very similar to the first ATSF Budd chair observations (3198-99) with six small windows on one side.

Getting back to the Kato model (note the location of vestibules)-

[Sokramiketes]

Ah, I see what you're saying.  Yes, moving the vestibule might be easier, as it saves on the window modifications needed. 

I'm starting to get a project itch...

[nickelplate759]

Lowell hasn't run Hobbysmith in a very long time.  It's (very well) run by a terrific fellow named Ron Maize.
Nice selection of N scale and great customer service.  I miss visiting there.

Quick update - Ron Maize retired and sold Hobbysmith to a longtime employee, Jerry Craig.   Still a great store!

More info here: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=55446.msg761698#msg761698

[peteski]

Quick update - Ron Maize retired and sold Hobbysmith to a longtime employee, Jerry Craig.   Still a great store!

Geroge, this info would be a perfect fit for https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?board=46.0