I have scratchbuilt a few freight cars - trailer flats and woodchip cars. The first tip I would share is to build some test sections first to work out construction methods. Styrene is cheap and the time taken with the test sections will yield a better model. I would also work out which sizes of styrene sheet and strip are needed and stock up so you have a ready supply of correct sizes for your project.
Tim
I agree with Tim about the ready supply of various sizes of styrene.
Many years ago I lived very near a hobby store , and worked even closer to another, and would just pop in to get one thing. This resulted in a good variety of styrene sizes. Since then I’ve moved and thr hobby store is $25 in fuel away. Hahaha. Thats how I measure things these days.
What I’ve ended up doing is just making sizes I have on hand work. I wish that years ago I had purchased one of every size of styrene. I went back to do just that a few years ago but was surprised how much the price had increased!!
Now I wait until I need a substantial load out of stuff before I make the drive, or have it shipped…. I keep notes in my phone about what sizes of styrene I wish I had and pick them up then.
Something I have found helpful is to make assembly jigs for parts that I need multiples of. For example years ago I built four resin caboose kits. Each needed handrails for each end. They had multiple bends and different parts in them. I made styrene jigs for cutting the parts, bending the parts, and then assembling / soldering. The result was 8 handrail assemblies that were identical. The time to make the jigs was probably 10x the time it took to make the parts, but it was worth it.
My next recommendation is tools!!! Stock up for cheap at a train show, estate sales, etc. The last show I was at had a bin for $1 each!
Things I have found to be helpful on many jobs are:
100 packs of #11 blades. I buy them on Amazon and switch to new blades quite often.
Locking tweezers. Not the ones that are sprung. The ones where you slide a lock up in the handle and choose the closing pressure.
A Tamiya pin vice. I have I think six pin vices and it’s the only one I’ve had that has reliably pinched a #80 drill bit without having to crank down hard on it.
A magnetic assembly jig. I have the micro mark model but I’m sure there are others.
There are thousands of tools out there but I use those on EVERY job. (Not the assembly jug but it was a game changer).
Enjoy the process. I have scratch built a few models. Mine aren’t the quality that Tim produces. But they don’t have to be. It’s extremely rewarding and you learn soooo much.
Please post pics of your work here. This bunch has 10,000 years of knowledge and everyone will help you!
Craig.
