Introduction to the kit...

In the summer of 2021 the C&EI HS announced a custom HO scale kit from Bethlehem Car Works for a C&EI RPO Combine.  

Here is the history of the prototype.

The C&EI owned four passenger cars that has a 30 ft RPO compartment and a fifty foot seating area.  The C&EI used these cars mostly on the Chicago to St. Louis trains that had less mail to be worked due to trackage rights from Pana, IL, into St. Louis over the NYC.  

Here is the equipment drawing for car 306.  The C&EI numbered all combination equipment the 300 series in the mid 1940s.  

The cars were originally decorated for their name trains, the Lasalle, and the Spirit of St. Louis.  

Here is 306 in a later paint scheme that featured the C&EI speed/service logo at the end of the car.  

In later years the cars would be converted to baggage combination service.  Here is one of the cars in the St. Louis Cardinal service in orange and blue livery.  

We believe the cars were eventually painted into the dark blue and yellow paint scheme but haven't yet located a car with this paint scheme.  

Dave

The BCW Kit Componets

Here are the parts for the kit.  

 The core components of the kit are the old Branchline passenger car parts.  The owner of BCW can offer custom kits by having the sides and roof designed with 3D printing and then cast the parts in resin.  The kit also includes custom detail parts such as the clerestory windows, air conditioner boxes, vents, and extra bits for details.  

The kit assembles very similar to a Branchline passenger car kit with the difference being the sides and roof.  

Follow along as I assemble one of these kits.  (Actually 3, two for me and one for a client.)  I am also blogging this for other wishing to build the kit.  

Dave

Gluing in the weight

The first step I chose to do was to glue in the included steel weight.  I used Aleene's Tacky Glue to secure the weight to the car.  The kit includes one plastic side from the original Branchline kit.  This side is used to ensure the frame is straight when gluing in the weight and the underframe.  Do not glue in the plastic side.  

 Dave

Shaping the Roof

The kit includes a resin cast roof.  The roof has pin injections that need to be whittled down to match the contour of the roof.  

Here is the photos with the round pins at the end of the car.

 Here are the ends after the pins have been cut and filed down.

 The next step is to curve the top end of the core frame.  As the model comes, the roof contour does not match the frame.

The top of the ends needs to be rounded.  I first used a pair of sprue cutters and cut above the end rivet line.  I then used an emery board to file the cuts smooth and round to match the profile of the roof.  I went slowly and checked the work often with the roof.  I left the curve with a little material with the plan to finish sanding after the model is painted and the roof is ready to be fitted.  

Next up will be assembling the plastic under body parts.

Dave

Nice!

Looking good.  I'm looking forward to seeing how it all goes together. 

Following along

Thanks for doing a follow along of building this kit! I purchased one that I plan to paint in the orange and blue livery. I am more interested in modeling the Chicago to Evansville and beyond services, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to buy this kit.

@ JFeister

John, great to know you are following along.  Will keep me motivated to keep posting! 

Dave

The Branchline Underframe

The next step is to install the Branchline underbody parts.  I will install the underbody details after the sides are attached.  

The parts on the sprue.

The first step is to cut the parts from the sprue.  The parts can be fragile.  I recommend cutting away from where the part meets the sprue and then trim the flash on a flat cutting surface.  I broke one of the brake levers cutting the parts from the sprue, but was able to glue it to the under frame.  It is also important to scrape or file the gate portions from the fish belly side frames as these will contact the bottom of the floor.  

The parts.

If you haven't assembled a Branchline kit before, it would be worth it to find a cheap kit a train show and assemble it before attempting this kit.  

I assembled the parts to the fish belly sides before attaching to the car.  The tabs that connect the parts to the fish belly sides are a little larger than the holes in the sides.  I use the tip of a metal file to enlarge these holes so that the tabs will fit into the slots.  I then glue with plastic cement.  

 Here are the side parts attached to the fish belly underframes.  

The sides then fit in groves in the bottom of the car.  This can be a tricky task as the sides need to seat all the way down in the slots.  I used a needle nose file to help position the part to be forced into the slot.  I then glued these in place with plastic cement.  

I then glued on the remaining pieces, which are the cross members and the shaft and chain.  

The next task will be tackling the roof details.  

Dave

• 22.jpeg 401.39 KB · 1 views

The interior...

The last part of the build before painting and decals is to finish the interior.  

The kit comes with bulkhead walls, seats, and interior walls.  

 

Using the passenger car diagram included in the kit, I marked where to cut for the correct length of seats.  The cuts are shown below.

 

The passenger end of the car had bathrooms on each side of the isle.  I used cutters to trim away the seats on the one side.  I used a knife to trim the top flush to prepare for gluing in the restroom walls.  

 

I then glued the restroom walls to area, ensuring the side wall was inboard of the side of the car.  I also glued the bulkhead wall between the coach and RPO section to the reverse facing seats.  

 

This is the completed interior.  It will get painted after the exterior of the car is painted.  

This is the current state of the build.  

 

Next up is to pack up the cars and send them off to my painter.  I will then decal the cars and add the finishing touches.  

Dave