Modelling an ATSF heavyweight RPO using M&R sides

[arbomambo]

After testing the height of the car on it's trucks...it was time to add the VERY neat clestory window piece that Roberto included in this fret...one for each side...this piece really adds an extra touch of prototypical realism to this build...an etching like this would be great for any of the heavyweights that have more than a few windows in the clestory roof...
I used a toothpick to apply a thin coating of Gorilla brand supper Glue to the flat side, then applied the piece to the prepared roof. The piece fit the MT RPO donor roof perfectly!
Thanks for looking,
Bruce

[arbomambo]

This one is just about ready for paint!...a couple more grabs and let the painting begin....









Thanks for looking,
Bruce

[arbomambo]

[arbomambo]

still a lot to do on this one...clean and flat coat...install 'burglar' bars (beautiful etchings supplied on the fret)...windows, vent housings on the clestory roof, and acetate window 'glass'...
but I had to put it in the current 'Fast Mail' consist and run it around!
Thanks for looking,
Bruce

[Upstate Gator]

Bruce,
This is looking great. I need to finish up the 70' baggage, horse baggage, and Budd 52-seat passenger car I started in the spring myself. Glad to see I'm not the only one with significant gaps before project completion!
Did you hand paint the clerestory or try to mask and paint?
Ben

[arbomambo]

Ben...
I hear ya'...it would be easy to devote every free hobby moment to these beauties alone...I still have one 70 ft baggage, 1 horse express, i more RPO, and 1 stainless Full dome to be done...
of course, if you've followed the recent discussion, we're getting Roberto to etch some more sides, so I'll be getting more 'backlog' soon..a few more 70' baggage cars, a fishbelly baggage, another horse express, and a hvywt coach (or 2)...

The roof, at this point, has a  coat of flat black overall...I added to roof ladder grabs, and covered the vent openings with thin sheet plastic in anticipation of adding the square/cube shaped vent housings when I aquire the properly shaped styrene strips...
...after these are added and painted, I'll add a light semi-gloss clear...then hand paint a gloss clear coat into each 'window' opening...this will be easier than it sounds because Roberto's etchings have such good relief...each window frame is highly defined, so it will probably be as simple as applying a small drop of gloss clear, letting capillary action do the rest...it should replicate the glass in the windows fairly well in N scale...
again...this is, technically, the third 'brass' side I've done, and I'm the most pleased with this one, although it has involved a little more work than the two previous efforts, probably because it's based on a Microtrains RPO instead of the Rivorossi heavyweights that provide the basis for the others.
Thanks,
Bruce

[arbomambo]

added the vents on the clestory roof....

[arbomambo]

'Burglar' bars are in...preliminary painting of roof vents (the roof will get a 'blend' coat of flat black)...not too much more before this one is done!





The camera sure does capture dust and errant plastic shavings!..I need to make sure I give the whole car a nice clean brush 'grooming' before flat coating!

Thanks for looking,
Bruce

[RWCJr]

Most excellent modeling, congrats!!

[arbomambo]

Hello all...
The M&R sides' RPO just needs a clear flat coat to call it complete!
I relettered the RPO with custom decals created by Russell Straw (slightly smaller in font and a much better 'fit')...stripped and re-painted the roof...
IMO, this fret is the nicest of the heavyweights I've builr to date...more details supplied with this one, although the three new ATSF coaches have some nice detail bits as well (the storage/battery box covers in wood and metal, and the roof ladder grabs)

The RPO really helps round 'out' a ATSF consist, but, in particular, the Fast Mail...
Thanks for looking,
Bruce

[bbussey]

Nice job. 

On the MTL heavyweights - I recommend adding Evergreen strip styrene, the width of the centerbeam and the height of the bolster, between the fishbelly beam and bolster and between the bolster and coupler box to remove the "air space" between the trucks and the body.  It visually will give the model more "heft" when viewed/photographed from lower angles.

[Cajonpassfan]

Bruce, nice work, as usual. I see you fixed the trapped mail catcher...
What do you use for the flat black roof color, looks good.
Regards, Otto

[arbomambo]

Otto,
I spray Pollyscale steampower black thinned 50/50 with alcohol....I like this color when it's airbrushed and thinned this way...brush painted it's a little too 'black'...IMO, semi-gloss, or high gloss finishes just don't translate well into 1:160 scale...taking into account scale effect and so forth...e.g. colors should   be slightly 'lightened as the scale gets smaller to achieve the same effect. That's why I'm clear flat coating all my ATSF heavyweight cars...there's just not enough surface area to refract the proper amount of light to convey the effect of a semi-gloss sheen..I think that's why the current Kato lightweight 'stainless' cars looks so 'believable'...they're painted in such a way to 'suggest' a high gloss stainless finish that translates well into N scale.
Now, because of your wonderful detail shots...I need to slightly move those end steps!
Bruce

[SP-Wolf]

My compliments!!! Very impresive work. And- insperational. You're motivating me to get off my rear- and finish up my Golden State. Built with mostly M&R sides and American Ltd. core kits. I need to work on the inside of the windows. Shades and such. And- put in dividers to eliminate the see thru effect.

Thanks,
Wolf