Modeller's Corner

 If you already have the book, you might have noticed that the photos found throughout this website
are not included in the book.  They are included to assist you in your modelling projects.

It is always refreshing to see how modellers use the plans in From Wood to Steel to create passenger cars for their own use. 
This page is devoted to exploring the different modelling opportunities that the book presents.
   
    Have you modified an existing model or built one based on the plans? Just contact us and we will be happy to share your results with others.
You can keep your identity confidential or we will publish your information as a way of getting like-minded modellers together. 

                        
                    CPR 940

         Bill Hallett has submitted photos of his model of CPR 940 a narrow vestibule second class coach and colonist car that was used on the Columbian Exposition train of 1893.  Plans for this car are found on page 60.  Here is his story.

        I thought that you would like to see a product of your book (two photos attached): an O scale model of the second class coach from that train made using the plans in your book plus the (few) available photos of CP narrow vestibule cars. I built it from Labelle's O57 single window coach kit. (The HO version appears to be the HO4.)  It is an almost perfect match in dimensions after one has removed the one extra window.  It required with some substantial modifications (one window removed, narrow vestibule substituted for wide, many home-made detail castings), finished in cherry stain. I included simple interior detail...the end railings are still missing - I'm still looking for a way to make the very elaborate end railings that are found on CP narrow vestibule cars. I will be building more cars when I get the time.
       
        I have another one of the kits, and was going to try making it into a first class coach narrow vestibule coach following one of the diagrams in Ted Rafuse's recently released book on Crossen cars, but I find that the window spacing in the first class cars is about 3" wider than the second class ones and the Labelle kit. My particular modelling interest is the CP circa 1900… contact with anyone else interested in this period of railways (ca. 1900) would be welcome, as there seem to be very few of us. Between your book and Ted Rafuse's and the CP SIG web site's collection of folio drawings, there has been an explosion of information on this era of railroading in the last few years which is of immense help to me.
 

CPR 940 - Side View

CPR 940 - Vestibule

CPR 940 - Interior View - Merrilees' plans from the book can be seen under the car in this & the view below.

CPR 940 - Another Interior View

                                     
                         CPR 1839

        Author Richard McQuade modifed well-known kit  to create a replica of CPR 1839, a second class coach.  Plans for this car are found  on page 62.  Here is his story.

        This car started out as kit 5250, the 50' Overland Sleeper Car by MDC/Roundhouse (now Athearn).  I bought mine quite a few years ago but it had the"duck bill" type of clerestory roof typical of the 1860s while I needed the later style of full-length clerestory roof.  Newer kits have the newer roof.  I sent away to MDC/Roundhouse for several roofs after getting their price online.  I waited only a few weeks for  them.  In the meantime, using an exacto knife with a new no. 11 blade, I shaved off the oval medallions found on each side. The work must be done carefully but it is not hard to do.  Use 600 fine grit sandpaper to smooth the area after trimming.

                        

      The kit is the right length and has the right number of windows although their spacing is not quite the same.

        Next I very carefully measured and cut the needed boards for the sides 2"9" tall.  A NWSL Chopper made quick work of the .015" X .020" styrene strips.  You might want to cut the pieces slightly oversize and trim the bottoms after.  To centre the battens I cut a piece of aluminum tart plate  1"11"  to use as a spacer because the boards are 2'0" apart. Using dividers helped to ensure accuracy when placing the boards on the car sides.  The aluminum will not accidentallly get glued to the car.

The styrene strips have been applied.

       
        Then I trimmed the end windows and added a styrene strip to the window of the door as per the plans.  Following that, underbody and other details were added.  Accuflex CPR passenger tuscan red and Black Cat decals finished the project.

Two views of the finished car.  Old Tenshodo trucks replace those from the kit.





The infrequent views of car roofs makes this a valuable shot for modellers.
The direction of the vents shows that the wind was blowing from the north
when this photo was taken in Toronto on Oct. 6, 1926.  (PA 200899)

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