Question About Gold Medal Models Parts

[Kisatchie]

I have a number of old Model Die Casting/Roundhouse 50' tank cars. I see Gold Medal Models has a detail pack to upgrade the tank cars.

Does anyone here have any experience putting the details on the tanks? Hard? Easy? The Gold Medal website has a photo of a 50' tank car that's been detailed, but the car is black and the photo is underexposed so I can't see much.

Any info is welcome.


Hmm... you could try
turning the monitor's
brightness up...

[arbomambo]

I detailed a number of the MDC tank cars, back in the 90's, with this set...
 if I recall correctly, the set replaces the upper platform and ladders, the endrails, and the end platforms...it also provides warning 'diamond ; placards...
replacing the upper platforms and ladders are fairly simple, as the MDC parts pull out fairly easy...the end platforms require removing the molded plastic material-this was the most intimidating part (not that bad for a seasoned 'basher')
~Bruce

[nkalanaga]

I've never used these as intended, but did kitbash a narrow gauge "beercan" tank car using them.  The parts are very nicely etched, and shouldn't give any trouble.  The only problem might be if you want body mounted couplers.  You'll have to come up with some type of mounting pad, as the etched walkways won't hold screws well.  On my kitbash I built a full width I-beam frame for the car, so adding a pad was easy. 

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Funny, I just referenced this thread a week ago:
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=21226.msg200354#msg200354

I built up several MDC tanks with both the GMM kit for MDC cars and the ones for CC tanks. Both kits are nearly the same except the style of roof top handrails. The MDC kit features square angles while the CC kit has curved handrails at the corner.

When installing the kits, I plugged the factory holed in the body with styrene rod. The lower handrails were added first as these will help support the side ladders and keep them from bending into the body. I bent the GMM parts to the appropriate shape , test fitted them on the body then marked the attachment points on the body with a pin. I drilled out the marks with a number 80 bit and glued the parts in with ACC.

As stated in the other thread, I will post an update on my project soon.

When complete, the MDC car looks as good as any Atlas or Athearn car on the market. It makes me wish that they would retool the car with etched parts from the factory.

[BCR 570]

Very good detail kit which elevates the appearance of the model significantly.  i have done several cars as per the instructions, and have used the kit for other kitbashed cars.  One thing I should mention is that when you cut away the end sills and replace them with the etched parts, it renders body mount couplers difficult or perhaps not possible to install.






Adding the Precision Scale Co. brake components is another worthwhile enhancement.


Tim

[jpwisc]

I detailed 4 HCl tank cars with the GMM set, I found it super easy. I have the cars painted, but not decaled yet. I used undec. Athearn cars I got off eBay. I'll take some pics tomorrow. I used the brake reservoirs from Red Caboose covered hoppers to add a little extra to the cars as well.

[Scottl]

I have not used the tanker detail sets, but the GMM intermodel well car detail sets are very nice and easily installed.  They transform the Walthers and MDC cars.

[Philip H]

Likewise I have used the detail kits - I posted a pics of an in-process resurrection a while back (I'll dig it up later).  The biggest challenge I see in using them is the cross-over platforms on the ends.  If you body mount then you have to glue or solder the couplers on - taking off the plastic MDC platforms takes away your ability to drill anything for a mounting screw.  Other then that I think they make great additions, and bring a good basic car body up to more modern standards.

[Kisatchie]

The low wire that runs nearly the length of the car has me worried. How hard is it to put the support brackets in their proper place? Ahhhhhhh!


Hmm... Kiz is already
foaming at the mouth...

[BCR 570]

The low wire that runs nearly the length of the car has me worried. How hard is it to put the support brackets in their proper place? Ahhhhhhh!

Not too difficult actually.  The trick is to use the Detail Associates wire which is flexible.  Drill holes at each end in which to mount the wire, holes in which to mount the support brackets, and trim the locating pins for the support brackets fairly short.  Feed the brackets onto the wire and then flue the wire in place, leaving the brackets completely loose and hanging down.  After the wire is set in place, you will be able to bend the wire and manoevre the brackets into place.  Glue the end into the car first, then ensure that the bracket is perpendicular to the car and wire, then hit the joint to the wire with CA and you are done.

Tim

[daniel_leavitt2000]

its not hard. I used the body-under frame seam as a guide.