In the preceding post, I summarized the history and background of the Georgia Railroad’s USRA box cars and introduced the partially completed model, starting from a Tichy kit, which I inherited from Richard Hendrickson (USRA = United States Railroad Administration, World War I era). In this post, I describe continuing progress on the model. Here is a link to the previous post: https://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2024/07/another-hendrickson-project.html .
I completed the underframe that had been begun by Richard, adding the AB brake gear along with the brake rodding. I decided not to model any of the brake piping, as it would not be visible in a side view (for more on this approach, see: https://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2012/08/simplified-underframe-brake-gear.html ).
Next I turned my attention to the car body. In the previous post (link in top paragraph), I mentioned that the Georgia Railroad had, during the rebuilding, replaced the side grab iron rows with ladders. But the original steel ends had been build with stiles and grab irons, and these were left in place. Below is a detail from a 1960s Wilbur C. Whittaker photo, which documents this. (You can click on the image to enlarge it, if you wish.)
For my end ladders, I did the same, drilling the stiles and adding drop grab irons. These were included in Richard’s kit box with other parts, so are likely Tichy grab irons. Below is shown the A end, before adding the placard board and sill grab irons.
Next I turned to the car sides. In the box with other parts were some very nice resin placard and route card boards, obviously not part of the original kit, and also a brass sprue of bracket grab irons. I happen to know the history of these; Dennis Storzek had them made as investment castings, using a sprue of plastic bracket grabs as the original, and he gave a few sprues to Richard. Light flash on a few rungs was easily removed. These grab irons match those added to the prototype Georgia box car, when it received steel sides.
I installed the grab irons into drilled holes with canopy glue, and used the same glue for the placard and route card boards. Kit sill steps and ladders were placed also. Now the sides were complete.
Finishing up the addition of details, and paint and lettering, will be described in a future post.
Tony Thompson
Part 1 said the silver paint schemes started in the late 1950s. But I have an image of GA 19580 with silver sides with black doors, ends and panels behind side ladders. The reweigh date is JAX-11-48 and repacked date is 5-31-51. This image is a Ted Culotta scan for ebay.
ReplyDeleteI didn't express my point very clearly. I have no idea when the Georgia began to apply the silver and black scheme. What I do know is that most photos I've seen from the early 1950s (when I model) are of boxcar red cars, and from the late 1950s and thereafter tend to show the silver scheme. I know Richard was going to model the BCR scheme, and so will I.
DeleteTony Thompson