Craftsman kit building rolling stock for your model railroad

[@PoconoMountaineer405]

Love seeing videos on wood craftsman kits.. i went from only buying pre built buildings, to trying plastic kits.. but ive found wood kits are definitely the best & most fun

[@w.rustylane5650]

I've been building Tichy Train Group rail cars because I need rolling stock from the turn of the century. Most of Don's kits are from the turn of the century and I enjoy building kit and scratch building. So far I've built 2 ore cars, 40' 50 ton flatcar, 40' 50 ton wood side gondola and I'm presently working on a USRA single sheath outside braced boxcar. So far they've turned out well beyond what I was expecting. The underbody detail is outstanding with K braking system. I found an old pint can (40 years old) of Rustoleum rusty metal primer that I dilute with lacquer thinner and shoot through my airbrush. It's perfect for ore cars and boxcar red for boxcars. There are still a few of us around that like to build. Cheers from eastern TN

[@WWIIREBEL]

I found that the wood/metal caboose kits (like shown in the video) are relatively easy to build. My first caboose kit (i bought at a train show) had no instructions, so i simply laid out all the parts and figured out everything to proper order in 20 minutes time. I used pics i found online of an actual caboose and used that as a reference for parts/window placement ,then went to town painting and assembling and was done in half a day. To anyone new in the hobby, I recommend finding/getting a couple kits and giving it a try. I found wood/metal kits at local train shows between 2 and 5 dollars. Plenty of them still out there!!.

[@wabisabi6875]

Thanks, guys, very helpful! Having made the switch to real wood in my HO structures--they look so much better than plastic! --I am ready to take the plunge and start building wooden freight cars. I'm really psyched, and you guys have been a real inspiration. I must say, however, that dry transfer decals look so much better than waterslides.

[@rickdee67]

Zanes a real character ! Those wood kits are nice ,Not for everyone.

[@alpugliesetrains9753]

Yes he sure is

[@ryanexpresstrains8074]

Great video!

[@kenamosjr.bo_51]

I did a thumbs up when you put this out, just finished digging out my old car kits and I have 4 of those Quality Craft kits- just no trucks to any. After seeing this I guess I need to order some, got to check my cars and make sure what size wheels.

[@andrekoneczny6616]

If I may suggest - all the major truck manufacturers like Kadee, Bowser, Walthers (to name a few) make "Caboose" trucks. Bettendorf trucks with steel wheels is what was on most cabs produced in the 1st half of the 20th centrury.

[@MosriteCharlie]

To resurrect old decals, before you use them, spray the decal with dullcote and allow this to dry before immersing in water.

[@MartinSBrown-tp9ji]

A few drops of dish soap in warm water makes the decal film slide off the backing paper much easier on all and old decals.

[@niro017]

I love these old kits, I have Silver Streak, Mainline Models, Red Ball, Marker Light, Quality Craft, Gloor Craft, etc, in my stash, and, Ye Olde Huff n Puff. AFAIK, Ye Olde Huff n Puff bought Silver Streak and Mainline Models, and since closing shop, have been bought by Labelle Woodworking. who are slowly adding them to their inventory. Unfortunately, due to space constraints, I have decided to move to N scale, and this type of kit are few and far in between, especially for freight and passenger cars.

[@johnhermanson5249]

Goo is a great rubber cement. I use it in camera repair every day (currently out of stock at Walthers, what else is new?)).

[@endurorider44]

Pliobond is similar to Goo...maybe that would work for you.

[@WWIIREBEL]

I build many wood/metal craftsman kits!. I use E-6000 ,when Goo is out of stock and it works incredibly good!.

[@endurorider44]

I enjoy building the old kits but the decals can be trouble....now i print my own replacement decals. My favorite wood kits are Labelle passenger cars and the resin Westerfield kits of old-time freight cars.

[@alpugliesetrains9753]

Yes especially from age .Howard and Andre tell me they use K4 brand decals that I've heard are fabulous.

[@endurorider44]

@@alpugliesetrains9753 i will look up K4 decals...I have my own road name decals printed up and use them for most cars i finish.

[@endurorider44]

really good selection at K4!

[@jimjohnston7688]

Al, I’m intrigued by the possibility of building one of these craftsman kit. Would Howard have any suggestions on a kit for someone looking to build his first kit?

[@alpugliesetrains9753]

I would find some wood kit caboose at the train show that are being sold cheap in under 20 bucks and build them for practice.Then as you get better you could dive into more expensive ones

[@MrJuvefrank]

Hi, there, and thank you for the videos about model trains. I've heard of bobber cabooses, cupola cabooses, bay window cabooses, and wide vision cabooses. Is there anyone who knows what kind of caboose the one at 2:33 is?

[@endurorider44]

basically a center cupola wood caboose... American Model Builders have a kit similar to the one in the video but with GM&O decals Part # 152-889

[@alpugliesetrains9753]

It's a standard wood caboose 35ft

[@MrJuvefrank]

@@alpugliesetrains9753 Thank you for telling me.

[@MrJuvefrank]

@@endurorider44 Thank you for telling me.

[@patgoldblat3877]

Hi there! First, a big thanks to you guys for sharing all of this! I love watching your videos! A newbie question, though: what about the chassis? Would you have some info to share on those? Thanks!

[@alpugliesetrains9753]

Since most kits don't come with trucks and couplers you would need to get them. Instructions recommends the type

[@patgoldblat3877]

@@alpugliesetrains9753 thanks for your answer, Al... but just wondering: for scratchbuilders, is there any info anywhere as to which trucks-couplers are "standard"? Just wondering... Thanks!!!

[@alpugliesetrains9753]

I would do a KZbin search on it for more info

[@patgoldblat3877]

@@alpugliesetrains9753 will do! Thanks!

[@endurorider44]

I normally use #5 Kadee couplers with Kadee boxes if scratch-building. For trucks i look on the Westerfield web-site for a similar type car then use whatever type of truck they recommend.

[@politicsandtrains]

Where do you buy these?

[@alpugliesetrains9753]

You can look on ebay under ho rollingstock craftsman kits under quality craft Ambroid or bevbel

[@HowardZane]

Ebay and train shows are the really only place to find older wood kit cars. I know of damn few hobby shops who stock these. Lablle and American Model Builders aka Lasercraft are offering really nice kits. Or.......I have over 1400 kits in stock from just about every kit maker from the late 40's to now. I presently scratch build all of my rolling stock as I get exactly what I want. Wood kit built whatevers are in a class by themselves and many modelers still appreciate them. Wood car or structure kits have a look of quality if constructed well and, is no match for a RTR car of building from plastic .Now, there are resin flat kits that are quite good, but if built well looks like a plastic offering. Folks who know me understand that for me the hobby is about fine art, and I can see no real art in purchasing an off-the -shelf model, albeit most are quite excellent and then some.