removing roof walk and plugging holes

[h2w]

whats the best way to plug the roof walk holes left when you remove the roofwalk from an athearn bb roof walk?

[wazzou]

In N Scale, I usually cut the plastic pins off the roof walk with a straight cut and glue them in the holes flush with the roof and fill any gaps with putty or gap filling CA and sand/file as necessary.
If you want to go the extra mile, you should replicate the roof walk support that is obviously not present with some small styrene strip, prime and paint match.

[Jim Costello]

     +1
Also the sprues left over from kits can shaped to make ideal plugs, apply liquid glue to the part and push in the hole.Let dry,cut off, sand etc.
Over the years I have built up a collection of different sized sprues .

[nkalanaga]

Most of my N scale plugs are Evergreen 0.080 round rod, in 5/64 holes.  I drill out the existing hole with a 5/64 bit in a wooden dowel handle.  On many cars the holes aren't round, sometimes aren't all the same size, and often aren't the same size/shape as the pins.  Once filed to shape, the plug matches nicely, and if the car has cast-on supports, the plug can be left a little taller to match them.  I don't worry about the inside, so just taper the rod and stick it in from the top, usually with some solvent cement in the hole first.

[Spikre]

 
  Why ??
  there are plenty of Boxcars that don't need Any Holes Filled.
  and they generally are better models of the cars that do need
  roof work.
    Spikre
       

[nkalanaga]

If one is modeling the late 60s or early 70s there are a LOT of older cars needing the roofwalks removed, and many of those models are primarily sold with the roofwalks, because that's the way the prototype ran most of its life.

Also, many modelers can't afford to replace their fleet of older models, but would still like to upgrade them.

[Spikre]

 
  N,
   thought he meant he was buying these cars now that needed the work.
  if that's what was meant would look for cars that don't need the work,
  Accu-Rail comes to mind with decent prices on 40' and 50' boxcars.
   but cars on hand are cheaper than cars in the bush.
    Spikre
       

[nkalanaga]

Spikre:  I agree, if he's buying new cars, getting ones without roofwalks would be MUCH easier, and probably cheaper, since he wouldn't have to buy the patching materials.