Retro question : Minitrix P-S shorty dome cars

[pdx1955]

I'm considering  doing a project  that involves a number of P-S domes (Train of Tomorrow ) and I was wondering  is the dome casting on the shorty Minitrix passenger cars the proper size or is it also shortened in comparison to a Rowa/Con-Cor  dome? The Minitrixes are much more easily  sourced ,  so I was wondering  if those would work at all. Sides can come from multiple  sources  but the domes are needed  regardless .

[Sokramiketes]

It's not quite right.

The Rowa is rendered pretty well, but yes, difficult to find.  At least it has flush glass, albeit thick.

Would it be easier to source the Kato Santa Fe Pleasure Dome roofs?  They are the best version of the P-S standard height dome.

[Sokramiketes]

805341
Super Chief Pleasure Dome Bodyshell with Glass, 1 ea
N-Scale / Fits: Super Chief   
$20.00


Available at Kato. 

[nickelplate759]

so - the Minitrix dome is just wrong - for anything.
The Rowa dome is right for a B&O low-profile dome (but not the whole car, just the dome), but nothing else.

I think for the Train of Tomorrow you want full-height Pullman domes.  That's either the dome from the Kato Pleasure Dome or the Con-Cor (NOT Rowa) model of the same car.   The Kato is likely easier to work with.

[thomasjmdavis]

Oddly, given that they did no other part of the SuperChief, Con-cor also produced the ATSF PS pleasure dome.  As usual with Con-Cor, they produced the car in a myriad of roadnames, and to this day you can sometimes find some on sale at low prices on eBay and other auction sites, or on the N Scale Supply used equipment listings.  My "will I ever finish it..." Wabash dome is on a CC version that was lettered for FEC.  Of course, since I just now wrote that, there will probably not be one available for under $50 anywhere.

Would it be easier to source the Kato Santa Fe Pleasure Dome roofs?  They are the best version of the P-S standard height dome.

I don't think the roof is a separate part- the design of the Super Chief cars has roof sides and ends molded as 1 part.  Well, I am pretty sure- don't really want to try to tear apart my dome to double check.

[thomasjmdavis]

Also, since mention you are applying sides (and therefore don't need a fluted "core") would any of the UP domes make a good/better starting point?

[pdx1955]

so - the Minitrix dome is just wrong - for anything.
The Rowa dome is right for a B&O low-profile dome (but not the whole car, just the dome), but nothing else.

I think for the Train of Tomorrow you want full-height Pullman domes.  That's either the dome from the Kato Pleasure Dome or the Con-Cor (NOT Rowa) model of the same car.   The Kato is likely easier to work with.

Thanks for the help ! Looks like the Kato is the best source for now, and also I see there  is some other parts such as diaphragms  and roof stanchions  that are also needed off their parts site.

[pdx1955]

Also, since mention you are applying sides (and therefore don't need a fluted "core") would any of the UP domes make a good/better starting point?

Unfortunately ,  not as the typical  UP dome is the wrong shape and these cars were fluted. I did find that Union Station  Products  makes the dome diner sides which makes one car easier. USP  also sells the fluting  separately which is important  as these cars did not have letter boards or centered car name boards which precludes using existing  fluted cars. All of these  would  be done up in UP  colors for their contribution  to the Seattle  - Portland  pool  trains.

[CRL]

Hmmm. I have several undecorated Minitrix shorty passenger cars to use as a “tourist” train. They’re squirreled away somewhere in one of my hiding places here in the house somewhere. I’ll see if I can find them.

[ncbqguy]

Don’t forget that Con-Cor made a very nice PS ATSF dome car in N Scale.   Likely the best starting point for the Train of Tomorrow.   Also Nosco Plastics made a N Scale size T of T windup train but the dome is on an EMD B unit instead of the coach.....and the A unit is a cross between an E2 and an E5.
Charlie Vlk

[learmoia]

I'm considering  doing a project  that involves a number of P-S domes (Train of Tomorrow ) and I was wondering  is the dome casting on the shorty Minitrix passenger cars the proper size or is it also shortened in comparison to a Rowa/Con-Cor  dome? The Minitrixes are much more easily  sourced ,  so I was wondering  if those would work at all. Sides can come from multiple  sources  but the domes are needed  regardless .

Rowa Domes? how many do you need?   I have several.. PM Coming..

~Ian

[pdx1955]

Rowa Domes? how many do you need?   I have several.. PM Coming..

~Ian

I tried to send you a reply but the message was blocked. Thank you for the offer , but considering the dome shape feedback received, I'll root around for available C-C or Kato cars for this project.

[Sokramiketes]

Oddly, given that they did no other part of the SuperChief, Con-cor also produced the ATSF PS pleasure dome.  As usual with Con-Cor, they produced the car in a myriad of roadnames, and to this day you can sometimes find some on sale at low prices on eBay and other auction sites, or on the N Scale Supply used equipment listings.  My "will I ever finish it..." Wabash dome is on a CC version that was lettered for FEC.  Of course, since I just now wrote that, there will probably not be one available for under $50 anywhere.I don't think the roof is a separate part- the design of the Super Chief cars has roof sides and ends molded as 1 part.  Well, I am pretty sure- don't really want to try to tear apart my dome to double check.

On the Kato dome, the whole dome section pops off the roof.  So it could be added to a core kit roof if one was so inclined. 

[thomasjmdavis]

On the Kato dome, the whole dome section pops off the roof.  So it could be added to a core kit roof if one was so inclined.

Thanks Mike.  I learn new stuff on Railwire all the time.   I have a Kato Super Chief, but (unusual for me), I've never taken apart any of the cars.  I wish I'd known that before I started on that Wabash parlor-lounge dome- would have been easier than all the surgery to remove the sides from the Con-cor I used (the other Blue Bird domes are easily converted from the old Kato Budd dome of 1990s vintage with a little work on the skirting).

[Sokramiketes]

Thanks Mike.  I learn new stuff on Railwire all the time.   I have a Kato Super Chief, but (unusual for me), I've never taken apart any of the cars.  I wish I'd known that before I started on that Wabash parlor-lounge dome- would have been easier than all the surgery to remove the sides from the Con-cor I used (the other Blue Bird domes are easily converted from the old Kato Budd dome of 1990s vintage with a little work on the skirting).

I've got an extra Pleasure Dome car squirreled away in the Wabash box too, thinking if I have to remove fluting, that's just as easy on the Kato as the old Rowa, and you get a full height dome out of it.

I should finish that Blue Bird dome obs shell sometime too.