I've always loved the

IC Passenger

I have a few photos on my facebook page. Charles Williams Clinton, Il.

IC RR histroical society

http://icrrhistorical.org/HOCarKits.pdf

You can find the following here:

1. Budd Dome car (LW)

2. 4-4-2 sleeper (LW)

3. 52 seat coach (LW)

4. 8-1-2 sleeper (HW)

5. 10-1-2 sleeper (HW)

6 14 Sleeper (HW)

7. baggage (HW or LW)

8. 12-1 sleeper (HW)

That's where I got my 4-4-2 for my Panama Limited.  You can also find old IHC types and convert the trucks and couplers, and add weights.  That's what I did for 6 cars, and finally, I got 6 undec 6-6-4 sleepers from Rapido - out being painted now.  I got lucky and was able to get my order in about 18 months ago.

Rear End Observation

The Illinois Central had several rear end Observation cars.  While not an exact match, this Athearn Blue Box heavy weight is pretty close enough for me.  This is it after the first soak in isopropyl alcohol.  I soaked it again to get it all off. 

I shaved off the molded on grab irons and added my own.  These are from detail associates I believe.

Here it is after a chocolate brown paint job and the beginnings of the installment of decals.  I did find that it is better to add the grab irons AFTER the decals are in as it is tough working the decals around the grabs.  I still need to work on it some more and do the other side. 

I also decided to add a radio antenna kit as well.  It seems to be an easy addition that adds a lot of interest to it. 

Here it is with the radio antenna painted.  I'm going to try and get the decaling finished this weekend and I still need to order the lettering for it.  The lettering is going to come from Steam Style Graphics. 

I have more pictures of the other passenger cars in the background, just need to find time to get them posted.  This one is the furthest along so far.  Feel free to throw suggestions my way, just remember this my first passenger car model that I have done, so don't be too critical. 

Decals

Stream Style Graphics is Todd Brinkmeyer.  He did the paint job on my City of Miami Engine.  Highly recommended.

Another possible source of IC decals is Rapido.  They did some orange stripe decals with some lettering, and Jason Sharon might part with some.  Again, highly recommended.

  Also, here is another source of decals: http://paducah.home.mindspring.com/ Found these guys on the web.  Have not ordered from them yet.