CB&Q Twin Cities Zephyr

[Sokramiketes]

This is a kitbash of the first CB&Q "pattern domes".  The prototype was a conversion of a Pre-war coach, so the model starts the same way. I modified a later dome roof to mimic the roof seams of the pre-war construction, then added the angular dome section from a Rowa dome car.  It was shortened to make the windows all the same length, with an extra bar to separate the top windows.  Mark Runyan has done a better 3D model of the roof section, but I am attached to this all-plastic model.
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Standard Kato dome coach from the early corrugated 4-car sets from Kato
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Second dome coach.  These were both repainted to do a less sparkly, darker stainless steel finish like the CZ cars.  I tried Floquil old silver with a tint coat of a couple drops of black in Future floor polish.  I hate Future floor polish, and it has since crazed (cracked) in a few places.  Mr. Color #8 Silver and Tamiya smoke is a much better option for me.  (See the Blue Bird cars)
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Diner.  I haven't relettered my CZ Diner from Kato yet.  But, since the CZ can sometimes be seen with diners with Burlington in the letterboard, I'm guessing the CZ cars ended up here sometimes... ah, I'm getting lazy and need a meeting with the GHQ Zenmaster...
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Bill Denton casting of my master for the Dome-Obs.  Signature car for the train.  And I did my absolute best to make it look like a factory Kato car.  All window openings except one fit Kato glass with window frames!
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[Sokramiketes]

Things you can do better/other options:

1) Build a Skytop Models baggage lounge
2) Add a 16 section sleeper converted to a coach for more variety.
3) Build the proper third Dome/Coach/Lounge?  Bill Denton did this car... and he tinted his windows already. 

[thomasjmdavis]

You sure do nice work, Mike.  It's hard to tell your "kitbashes" from the Kato cars out of the box, in terms of appearance.

[keeper]

Very nice work, Mike. I like it.
Up to now I didn't know about the baggage / GN observation car. I might add them to my wish list to have a variety for that train.

When you say '400' coach, I assume you mean an ex CNW coach?

[keeper]

...
2) Add a 16 section sleeper converted to a coach for more variety.
...

Is there a difference externaly before and after the conversion?

[Sokramiketes]

Very nice work, Mike. I like it.
Up to now I didn't know about the baggage / GN observation car. I might add them to my wish list to have a variety for that train.

When you say '400' coach, I assume you mean an ex CNW coach?

Thank you.

Yes, it’s an ex-CNW 400 coach. The Hill Lines bought several and the Centralia car is pretty decent. I wish the windows were flush.

[Sokramiketes]

Is there a difference externaly before and after the conversion?

I don’t believe so. Wish Kato would do a matching 6-5 sleeper, the replacement when the 16 section sleepers were pulled!

[altohorn25]

Ok, I'll play as well.......

Here's my rendition of the train:

Silver Pilot - Kato E5 with extra decals and Gold Medal Model details.

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Silver Speed - Kato E5 with extra decals and Gold Medal Model details.

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Silver Salon - Skytop Models shell - Microscale decals

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Silver Island - Kato dome coach - Microscale decals

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Silver Vision - Kato dome coach - Microscale decals

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Silver Scene - Kato dome coach - Microscale decals

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Silver River - Kato dome coach - Microscale decals

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Silver Feast - Kato California Zephyr diner - Microscale decals

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Silver Parlor - Kato 16 section sleeper from the California Zephyr set - a decent stand in for the Budd parlor car - Microscale decals

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Silver Vista - Skytop Models shell - Microscale decals

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[altohorn25]

Thought you guys might get a kick out of seeing the train in motion as well:

[keeper]

Thought you guys might get a kick out of seeing the train in motion as well:

I like it.

What would be the correct lightning for the three lights on the dome obs car when running forward or backwards?

[motofavorite]

If you haven't decided on paint yet, Mr. Color Silver #8 is great, sprays better than the Tamiya silvers.  And Tamiya smoke over the top to get it to look like the Kato CZ paint.

Do you use a gray or black underlayer before the silver? And how light is the Tamiya Smoke top coat? Thanks!

[nkalanaga]

Keeper:  If the CB&Q had the same rules as the GN, the two side-mounted marker lights would normally be red, while the big roof-mounted light would be off.  On the GN observations that was a red Mars light, which normally only came on when the train was stopped, blocking the mainline.  It was set up to automatically turn on if the emergency brakes were applied.

[Sokramiketes]

Do you use a gray or black underlayer before the silver? And how light is the Tamiya Smoke top coat? Thanks!

I've been using a Tamiya gray primer underneath.  It's close to the plastic color that Kato uses.  Kato does not do a black undercoat.

The smoke generally needs to be applied via airbrush.  Light coat, then check against a Kato car.  Light coat, and check.  It doesn't take too much to get the depth you're looking for. 

If you need to spray a wet coat to get a good surface finish or eliminate speckling, you can mix the smoke with clear gloss to make it less potent. 

[Sokramiketes]

This was a rush job before Trainfest and shows what the spray can method looks like up close.  For this scheme it worked. 

[keeper]

Regarding the color, is it this one?

https://www.o-gundam.de/farben-zubehoer/farben/mr-hobby/8-silver-silber-10-ml-metallic_534_1465/