There is a lot changing 'in the 40's' for me, as there seems to be for many people. One of those things is a new interest that is growing for me in modeling passenger equipment, thanks in part to detailing up the Hickory Creek last month and also in part to the inspiration delivered by the new Rapido E8A locomotives in Conrail's executive Office Car Special paint scheme.
Suddenly, I have a need for older passenger cars on the Onondaga Cutoff!
The fabulous research by Wes Reminder, a longtime Conrail modeler and fan of the executive train, is documented and available at his great website: https://www.the-boring-the-adoring.com/conrail-blog
The basics are there along with Wes's spectacular modeling. Each car on the prototype train has a whole story to it, and many were modified through the years. I am working to emulate his work to create models for 1994 that will fit in line with the OC and with the regular operation it supports. I will model several cars using the Walthers passenger cars available to get models that are close, and then will modify, detail, light and paint them to match prototype photos.
Walthers cars are great, and come apart with the sides as a separate molding of styrene. When you remove the windows too, now you've got a side that is easy to strip.
While the parts soak in 91% isopropyl alcohol, I worked on the new paint color. No one makes the correct color available for sale for custom painters, so we have to mix our own. Here's my first try ever using TruColor paint. This is a mixture of their Southern Green, PRR Brunswick Green, Pullman Green, and a bit of black.
Close, but too light, by a slight margin. So back to the drawing board.
Too dark. Hmmm. A light sanding and back to the drawing board.
With the paint figured out I turned to detailing some of the interior of the first car. I made the beds and painted the features to match photos I found online of the interior, or at least close enough. I also installed lighting and replaced the wheelsets to ensure good electrical pickup.
As you can see, I am getting into this and having fun. It's satisfying work and will lead to a great new addition to the railroad.
More coming, soon!
