N scale UP "Star" Sleepers?

[nkalanaga]

Going through my notes from the early 70s, it turns out that I have at least one example of almost every sleeper I saw in Amtrak's "Rainbow Era" Empire Builder.  The ones I don't have I know haven't been made, except for one.

Has anyone ever made an N scale model of the UP's "Star" series sleepers?  I have the Pacific, Placid, and Sun sleepers, but don't remember ever seeing a model of the Star, in any scale.

[cjm413]

UP Star series was rebuilt from the City series (included in Kato's combined COLA/Challenger set), but there were external modifications to the windows where it would probably be easier to start with a new set of car sides than to start with the Kato model

[nkalanaga]

Yes, I've already looked at that.  The "City" and "Star" versions look nothing alike, as far as windows go.  And. last time I looked, Brass Car Sides didn't have a "Star" set either.

I got lucky with a CB&Q coach.  I saw the "Silver Larch" in Pasco, in both CB&Q and Amtrak lettering, and Kato's car worked for that.  It started out as a sleeper, but when the CB&Q rebuilt it, they didn't change the windows!

[Sokramiketes]

To add to the history a bit, UP built ten "Placid" series 11-bedroom sleepers in 1956.

Fast forward to 1965, and with a reduced need for the 5 bedroom buffet lounges ("City" series), they sent them to Pullman to rebuild into additional 11 bedroom cars.

Now, yes, Kato has done the "City" series, but all the windows were changed over.

BUT, your best bet is to actually start with the existing 11-bedroom "Placid" sleeper. 

It may be close enough as is for your use.  Or you could start rearranging some windows to make it better.