Batch-building freight cars - 5
7: These YV log bunks started out as a pile of castings,
wire and wood but are worth the effort. The modeler
must supply the trucks and couplers. The kits build up
into super-detailed models of a specific prototype.
7
8: This Rio Grande Models Virginia and Truckee
Railroad kit includes laser-cut wood, together with
metal and resin castings. Couplers are not included.
Notice that the trucks are white metal and need to be
assembled by the modeler. The finished model is to be
painted and decaled by the modeler.
8
Kits in this group are for the experienced car builder who
wants a very exact model of a specific car, or is looking for less-
common car types. Cars must be decaled and painted by the
modeler. Sunshine, Westerfield, and Funaro & Camerlengo
are some of the manufacturers of resin kits. Some of the resin
parts need to be cleaned of flashing. Grabirons and stirrup
steps may be supplied, or else must fabricated by the modeler.
Kits in this category can require the modeler to be ready for
just about anything. If you aren’t sure what skills are neces-
sary to build a particular kit, try getting a look at the kit con-
tents before you buy, or ask other modelers about a kit you
are considering. This will help you avoid purchasing a kit you
won’t enjoy building, or at least will let you know what new
skills you’ll need. These kits produce unique and outstanding
models, but require a certain amount of skill and patience to
come out right. If you are comfortable with highly detailed kits,
try one from this category. Once you start building these kits,
you can see that scratchbuilding rolling stock isn’t that far away
from this level.
Now that we have looked at various types of kits, let’s check
out some construction techniques for building kits in batches.
These techniques work with any type of kit.
Building in batches – general approach
The most significant time saver in expanding a freight car ros-
ter is building kits in “batches.” A “batch” for the purposes
of this article is defined as four or more of the same kit. The
idea is to employ economy-of-scale to save some time. To
build in batches, you need to get multiple copies of the same
MRH-Mar 2014
