Private Name Freight Cars for Exchange

Another home road Minneapolis & Northland Railroad Company boxcar completed in the M&N Car Shops will be going into service on another railroad.   This time the car will be going to the Central Of Minnesota Railroad.  Why?  The boxcar was built to complete an exchange of cars.  Earlier this year for a visiting group operating session, Joe Binish brought and left one of his Central Of Minnesota home road cars to continue in service on my Railroad.

Central Of Minnesota built by Joe Binish
(click or tap on this or any photo to enlarge)

Central Of Minnesota built by Joe Binish

I did not have a freight car to give Joe in exchange at the time.  Finally, I found the car kit I wanted to build for exchange and shop schedule was right to build the car to reciprocate.

Upgraded Minneapolis & Northland Railroad Company 469245 boxcar.

The Minneapolis & Northland Railroad Company boxcar was upgraded for the move to Joe Binish’s Central Of Minnesota railroad.  An Accurail kit, number 4008, lettered for the Grand Trunk Western, a single sheathed boxcar with four post ends and Hutchins roof had the following changes made.

Molded on side and end grab irons were carved off and replaced with Tichy Train Group (Tichy) straight grab irons # 3021.  Molded on roof grab irons were carved off and grab irons bent from Tichy #1101, .010” diameter phosphor bronze wire (PBW) with Yarmouth Model Works eyebolts without shoulder were used for corner legs.  Molded on sill steps cut off were replaced with A-Line #29000, style A, sill steps. Molded on door handles were carved off and replaced with wire door handles, Tichy #1101, .010” diameter PBW, bent with Xuron wire bending plier.

Side details added.

On the “B” end a Sunshine Models resin retainer valve from the parts box was installed followed by a retainer line and brackets, Tichy # 1100, .008” diameter PBW.  The brake step was opened by drilling out the molded interior with a 2-56 drill and cleaned up with broach (see “broach” under “labels” on sidebar) and small diamond file.   A brake rod, Tichy #1102, .015” PBW with Tichy .010” wire bracket, was installed onto which a Tichy brake wheel, set #3010, was installed.  A top mount uncoupling lever bent from Tichy #1106. .0125” diameter PBW with eye bolt brackets bent from Tichy #1101 .010” was installed and another on the “A” end.  The longitudinal running board brackets cut from Evergreen, #8102, 1 x 2” strip styrene were added here and to the “A” end.

"B" end details added.

On the under body bolster center plate and coupler pockets were drilled and tapped for 2-56 screws.  Kadee #148 couplers were installed in coupler boxes using Fastenal 3/16” screws to attach coupler pocket covers and Fastenal 1/4” screws to mount Accurail ARA cast steel with spring plank kit trucks.  Kit brake components were installed after drilling them with #79 wire drill to receive piping.  Piping from air reservoir to control valve, Tichy #1101, .010” diameter PBW and from brake cylinder to control valve, Tichy # 1106, .0125” diameter PBW.  Brake Levers made from Evergreen #8108 1x8” and #8106” 1x6” strip styrene were installed.  Brake rods, Tichy, # 1106. .0125” diameter PBW were installed. Chain to brake rod from brake cylinder piston is A-Line black 40 links per inch.

Under body details.

In the M&N paint shops the Grand Trunk Western herald and GTW reporting marks were removed with a Euro scratch brush and a cotton swab dipped in 91% isopropyl alcohol.  The areas where  lettering was removed and added car body details were hand painted with a mix of Vallejo Model Air Brown RLM  26, #71.105, four drops and a tiny drop using a wood round toothpick tip dipped in Vallejo Model Color Black Grey, 70.862, to create a paint shade matching the Accurail factory applied paint.  The under body was hand painted with Vallejo Model Color 70.862, Black Grey.   When dry the car body was sprayed with Vallejo 70.470, Clear Gloss Medium to provide surface for decal application.  Once dry Private Name Champ Decals, Alps printed herald, and end reporting marks decals made by applying Clover House Railroad Roman condensed Bold-White dry transfers to decal paper coated with MicroScale Liquid Decal Film were applied with MicroScale Micro Sol and Walthers Solvaset.  After letting dry overnight the car body was sprayed with Vallejo 70.520, Matt Varnish to protect lettering and provide a surface for weathering.

Car is painted and lettered; however, not weathered.

Weathering was done with Pan Pastels applied with foam pads and makeup brushes.  Pan Pastels colors used were: Burnt Sienna Shade 740.1 on sides and roof, Paynes Grey Ex. Dark 840.1 on roof and lightly on sides, and Red Iron Oxide Ex. Dark 380.1 to fade lettering on the car body.  No clear coat applied after weathering.

Car body weathered with Pan Pastels.

M&N boxcar 465249 sitting on CNW Interchange track to be
picked up and delivered to the Central Of Minnesota railroad.

The Minneapolis & Northland Railroad boxcar was delivered to the Central Of Minnesota for serving  their customers.  Do all cars exchange have to be upgraded?  The answer, “ Of course not.”  I have exchange cars that are build per kit instructions with no upgrades. 

Why exchange and run Private Name cars?  Each time I take a Private Name car out of it's box to enter my railroad via an interchange it brings memories of the person and his or her railroad.   I want to share photos of some of these Private Name cars with you here of railroads still operating and railroads that no longer exist due to the passing of owner.

Dave Vos,  operating railroad.

Ken Herman, railroad of deceased friend.

Gerry Leone, railroad dismantled for move to new home.

Mike Rhein, deceased friend.

Bob Johnson, owner.

Michael Jordan,  Santa Maria Valley Industrial
operating railroad.

Gary Gelzer,  railroad of deceased friend.

Erine Schwenke, test railroad.

Larry Brandsetter, owner.

Thank You for taking time to read my blog.  You can share a comment in the section below if you choose to do so.  Please share the blog link with other model railroaders.

Lester Breuer