Update

Here is the flatcar. Almost complete except for final weathering.

Low side gondola

Low side gondola using the flatcar design as a base.I can expand on the techniques I used if anyone is interested.

Boxcar teaser

Boxcar under construction. It has full interior bracing and sheathing. I must be nuts?!! Again, ask any questions you have about materials and techniques.

I have started on construction of a stockcar as my next project.

Scratchbuilt rolling Stock

I need a ladder to even see the bar you set....wonderful work.

Thanks

Thank you Brodie! I am pleased you like my work.

It really isn't that difficult to scratchbuild freight cars once you know the techniques to do it. Bachmann and San Juan have ready-to-run On30 cars and other manufacturers have plenty of kit offerings. I have some of these cars but enjoy building my own as well. I would encourage anyone to give it a try. Give it a go and have fun with it.

The techniques I use are universal to any model and scale. I use wood for construction but you could use styrene just as easily.  There are some tricks to scratchbuilding any project including cars and structures.

Research - Look in the hobby press and online to find a prototype that you can base you model on. It doesn't need to be an exact replica, just something you can work from. There may already be an article out there that will serve your purposes. I used the flatcar article from the 2008 On30 Annual as my starting point. Collect as much information as you can. Pictures, drawings, and other information. If drawings are not available, create your own. It can be as simple as a sketch on paper or a full blown CAD drawing.

Planning - Choose the material that you want to build the model out of (wood or styrene?). Plan out how all the parts of the car will fit together and the order they will be installed. You will likely need to modify your drawings as you go here. Essentially, you are creating construction instructions just like you would find in a kit. Don't worry about too much detail yet. Just get the general steps down on paper for now.

List of materials - Make a list of all the parts you will need for your project. You will need trucks, couplers, stripwood, styrene (strip and sheet), brass shim stock, detail parts, wire, paint, decals, and the list goes on. Do your research and find suppliers for all these parts and materials. Most manufactures have online sites that you can use to find the stuff you need. You will probably find some of the materials at your local hobby shop. Others you will have to order. 

Construction - Once you have all your parts and materials, you can begin construction. Using the general notes you created earlier, add more specific notes as you work through construction. Again, you will likely have to make some minor changes to your drawings and installation steps as you move along. Before you know it, you have a completed model, ready to show off to your modelling buddies. You will also have created a "kit" if you want to build another.

Terrific work.

Terrific work.

Bee You Ti Ful

What else can one say ?

A-plus!

From all appearances, some of the most comprehensive scratchbuilt rolling stock I've seen. Take the Z-bracing for the boxcar, for example!

I appreciate the

I appreciate the compliments. 

Paul - Like I said, I must be nuts! But I do enjoy the fine detail work.

Loving what I see

Rick:

As a fellow member of the On30 society, it is refreshing to see your work. My wood models tend to be quite light and I have been looking at brass channel stock for the center sills. This has worked for me in HOn3 and provides a couple places to screw in couplers and bolsters. 

I look forward to your posts. Thanks!

Neil E

Given the quality of your work....

...... you may want to try one of those:

The interior would be like:

Jose.

It's great work, Rick. Very

It's great work, Rick. Very impressive indeed

Thanks Guys!

Thank you Neil, Jose and Mike. More photos will be coming soon. 

Neil - The brass channel stock for weight is a great idea since I am painting the model anyway. You really can't see the center sills anyway.

Jose - That's quite a poultry car. I've never seen one like that. Would indeed be quite a challenge! Not sure how you'd do the netting on the sides.

Re: poultry car

Not sure how you'd do the netting on the sides.

Only practical way would be to attach all the pre-finished (plastic) framing parts on a suitable piece of mesh or make separate inside and out soldered frames, prepaint them and then sandwich the mesh between them to make a finished side. Due to the fragility of the assemblies metal would be highly recommended.

It would test you sanity level, but the end result would be....

Jose.

Boxcar Update

Here are some photos of the scratchbuilt boxcar ready for the paint shop.

The roof is individual 1x4 boards glued to a 1x8 frame supported by six 2x12 trusses shaped to match the end slopes. It is surprisingly strong considering the fragile materials used. The door guides where made from two pieces of styrene. The lower guide will be glued to the car after painting. Detail parts are from Gandt Line and Tichy. Grab irons are hand formed using a bending jig.

The deck boards will be added once the frame is painted. I will be using Tru-Color paint on this model. Detail parts on the frame are from Wiseman (air hoses), Grandt Line, and Tichy. San Juan trucks and couplers (Kadee box). 

Stock Car Teaser

A quick peak at the stock car. Still a little detail work and the frame to finish.

Beautiful work!  Regards,

Beautiful work! 

Regards,

Great work

This is really very nice work, the workmanship and detail is great. Makes me want to scratch build something other than buildings. 

That is serious skill!

Wow! Great work, simply amazing!