Because almost every passenger car design is different, I modified the Walthers cafe roof to closely match the Sparhawk Inn's roof. I began by using a hobby knife to shave off the molded roof vents and smoke jack base. I used putty to fill in the concave surfaces and when smooth, filed them with sanding sticks. I then applied closely matching detail parts.
The list of parts include:
6602 Detail Associates 24" Roof Grabs
6603 Detail Associates 24" Roof Ladder Grabs
108 Kitbits Screen Vent for Passenger Cars
74 Kitbits Garland Arch Roof Vents
255 Century Foundary Metal Works Streamlined Car Roof Vents
You can see where I puttied and sanded the exiting vents. I used a template to help position the parts on the roof. I could have done a better job, but here is the end product. I am looking forward to seeing how the puttying and sanding job show up after a coat of primer.
Thanks for the comment. I totally agree. At least for the transition period of modelers, there is that one steam liner train that your favorite railroad ordered to try and increase passenger revenue, and then sadly dwindled to an untimely end. Definitely the case for the C&EI and the Meadowlark.
Laser cut sides are a gateway to bring many of these unique trains to our layouts.
Haven't had a chance to do much modeling, so here is a picture of a Walthers car painted for the Vigo Trail. This car was originally assigned to the Whipporwill and then reassigned when that train was discontinued in the early 50's.
This photo was taken by a friend on his layout. The Vigo Trail is running in the consist of another C&EI train I have modeled, the Cardinal. The finished Meadowlark cars should look similar to this car, with a different window arrangement.
These diagrams are from a C&EI HS publication many moons ago. They show the interior floor plan and photos of the individual cars. Finally got a chance to get them scanned and uploaded.
The Sparhawk Inn
The Horseshoe Trail and the Egyptian Trail Coaches
The Hubbard Trial, minus one bench to be replaced with a desk for the conductor.
Great insightful question. The Pullman built cars were delivered with full body diaphragms as shown in the photos. The C&EI replaced them with regular sized diaphragms as to be interchangeable with the other passenger cars in service. Therefore, I plan on using the Walthers supplied diaphragms.
Should have more pictures of interior work up soon.
Finally finished the interior of the Sparhawk Inn.
The interior was painted in a two tone gray scheme so I left the bottom half of the walls the dark primer color. The top half of the walls got a light grey paint job. The lunch counter seats were yellow leather, and the chairs in the lounge were blue and red. I went with a light brown for the top of the counter as there are no color reference photos for the interior of the Sparhawk Inn.
The reverse view. Probably should have cleaned up the bottom of the chairs, but it won't be visible inside the car windows.
I purchased pre-painted seated figures from Ebay. The figures aren't the greatest, but they are painted. All the hair and hats are black so I will probably add some browns and blonds to randomize the tops a little more.
I glued some of the passengers in the lounge seats and some at the lunch counter. The figures at the lunch counter had to have their legs removed to get the figure to fit in the seat. Again, their amputations won't be seen from outside the car's windows.
I am taking great pleasure in this series. I grew up in a small Central Illinois town where the C & E I ran. Actually, I am fortunate that in my childhood, the three lines that went through were the Wabash, Illinois Central and C & E I and I got to see them all before the flags fell....great memories. I am getting some inspiration for modeling some older passenger cars on our IC mail line route (that has C&EI running through it). Thanks again for sharing and keep up the great work.
Comments
The Sparhawk Roof
Because almost every passenger car design is different, I modified the Walthers cafe roof to closely match the Sparhawk Inn's roof. I began by using a hobby knife to shave off the molded roof vents and smoke jack base. I used putty to fill in the concave surfaces and when smooth, filed them with sanding sticks. I then applied closely matching detail parts.
The list of parts include:
6602 Detail Associates 24" Roof Grabs
6603 Detail Associates 24" Roof Ladder Grabs
108 Kitbits Screen Vent for Passenger Cars
74 Kitbits Garland Arch Roof Vents
255 Century Foundary Metal Works Streamlined Car Roof Vents
You can see where I puttied and sanded the exiting vents. I used a template to help position the parts on the roof. I could have done a better job, but here is the end product. I am looking forward to seeing how the puttying and sanding job show up after a coat of primer.
A badly focused close up.
Dave
This has been a fantastic read
Dave,
You are inspiring me to do things I never thought of. I can make my dream trains too.
I can not wait to see the finished product and read the rest of your post on this.
Thanks for sharing.
Steve
Thanks...
Steve,
Thanks for the comment. I totally agree. At least for the transition period of modelers, there is that one steam liner train that your favorite railroad ordered to try and increase passenger revenue, and then sadly dwindled to an untimely end. Definitely the case for the C&EI and the Meadowlark.
Laser cut sides are a gateway to bring many of these unique trains to our layouts.
Thanks again,
Dave
The Vigo Trail...
Haven't had a chance to do much modeling, so here is a picture of a Walthers car painted for the Vigo Trail. This car was originally assigned to the Whipporwill and then reassigned when that train was discontinued in the early 50's.
This photo was taken by a friend on his layout. The Vigo Trail is running in the consist of another C&EI train I have modeled, the Cardinal. The finished Meadowlark cars should look similar to this car, with a different window arrangement.
Dave
Meadowlark Equipment Diagrams...
These diagrams are from a C&EI HS publication many moons ago. They show the interior floor plan and photos of the individual cars. Finally got a chance to get them scanned and uploaded.
The Sparhawk Inn
The Horseshoe Trail and the Egyptian Trail Coaches
The Hubbard Trial, minus one bench to be replaced with a desk for the conductor.
Dave
Coach seating diagram...
This is the seating diagram and instructions I used to plan the coach interiors.
Dave
Diaphragms
Dave,
What are you planning on using for the car-width diaphragms that are in the photos?
Steve
Meadowlark Diaphragms...
Steve,
Great insightful question. The Pullman built cars were delivered with full body diaphragms as shown in the photos. The C&EI replaced them with regular sized diaphragms as to be interchangeable with the other passenger cars in service. Therefore, I plan on using the Walthers supplied diaphragms.
Should have more pictures of interior work up soon.
Dave
The Sparhawk Inn Interior...
Finally finished the interior of the Sparhawk Inn.
The interior was painted in a two tone gray scheme so I left the bottom half of the walls the dark primer color. The top half of the walls got a light grey paint job. The lunch counter seats were yellow leather, and the chairs in the lounge were blue and red. I went with a light brown for the top of the counter as there are no color reference photos for the interior of the Sparhawk Inn.
The reverse view. Probably should have cleaned up the bottom of the chairs, but it won't be visible inside the car windows.
I purchased pre-painted seated figures from Ebay. The figures aren't the greatest, but they are painted. All the hair and hats are black so I will probably add some browns and blonds to randomize the tops a little more.
I glued some of the passengers in the lounge seats and some at the lunch counter. The figures at the lunch counter had to have their legs removed to get the figure to fit in the seat. Again, their amputations won't be seen from outside the car's windows.
The other three coach interiors are next.
Dave
Very Impressive
I am taking great pleasure in this series. I grew up in a small Central Illinois town where the C & E I ran. Actually, I am fortunate that in my childhood, the three lines that went through were the Wabash, Illinois Central and C & E I and I got to see them all before the flags fell....great memories. I am getting some inspiration for modeling some older passenger cars on our IC mail line route (that has C&EI running through it). Thanks again for sharing and keep up the great work.