10 Steps to Great-looking Passenger Cars

Model Railroader 2006-01 pg. 56     Scale: HO     Author: Paul J. Dolkos

The article covers techniques for applying paint and decals. It shows how to plan the project, checking the parts, planning the painting sequence, painting the underbody, masking the underbody to paint the main body, and additional masking to paint a second color on parts of the sides, applying decals and the finish.

8 Pike-size Passenger Trains

Model Railroader 2003-05 pg. 48     Scale: (none)     Author: Andy Sperandeo

Creating passenger trains that are shorter than the typical Class 1 railroad's. However, there are prototype trains that only carried a handful of passenger cars.

A Most Unusual Car...

Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-03 pg. 28     Scale: (none)     Author: Russ Porter

This car was owned by James Hill, son of Louis Hill the famous GN magnate. The passenger car provided accommodations for the traveling railroader, including storage for his automobile. Prototype photos and scale drawings are included.

A Twice-kitbashed Passenger Car

Railroad Model Craftsman 2009-12 pg. 63     Scale: G     Author: Gary Wright

The author didn't want to get rid of his award-winning 1:32n20 gauge passenger car, so he converted it to a shed for a new yard has was building. He cut a 1:29 or 1:25 figure down so that it would fit in this structure.

Air-conditioning for a Heavyweight Coach

Model Railroader 2005-04 pg. 26     Scale: HO     Author: Terry Thompson

Adding various details to the a Branchline NYC coach.

Amtrak Merchandise-handling Cars

Model Railroader 1988-02 pg. 100     Scale: (none)     Author: Gordon Odegard

61-foot cars that were built in 1986 to provide mail and express service in passenger trains. Prototype photos and scale drawings are included.

Amtrak Passenger Car Differences

Model Railroader 2000-02 pg. 34     Scale: HO     Author: Jim Hediger

Differences between Amfleet and Horizon fleet cars.

Amtrak's Mail and Express Fleet

Model Railroader 2003-03 pg. 71     Scale: HO     Author: Cody Grivno

This article offers suggestions for modeling the mail and express fleet in HO-scale. Includes many photos of the various cars.

Amtrak's Material Handling Car

Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-03 pg. 58     Scale:      Author: Eric Neubauer

A prototype photo and scale drawings of this mail and express packages car accompany the article.

An Unusual Business Car

Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-02 pg. 93     Scale: HO     Author: Bob Boudreau

Modeling a private car that could transport the owner's automobile. Includes a prototype photo.

CB&Q Vista-Dome Coach

Model Railroader 1978-08 pg. 69     Scale:      Author: Harold Russell

Prototype photos and scale drawings accompany this short article on the car.

Canadian Pacific Dynamometer Car

Model Railroader 2000-03 pg. 106     Scale: (none)     Author: George Sebastian-Coleman

Prototype photos, scale drawings.

Class MP54 "Steam Hauled" Cars

The Keystone Modeler 37 August 2006 pg. 18     Scale: HO     Author: Doug Kisala

The Funaro and Camerlengo company released an electrified version of the MP54 electric coaches, but the author converted it to be of use by steam engines. The article includes modification photos, a bill of materials, and references.

Heavyweight Pullmans - Plans 4158 and 4172

Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-06 pg. 38     Scale: (none)     Author: George Trager

Prototype photos of the Elm Trail and Oak Wood pullmans and accompanied by scale drawings.

Improving Bachmann's Amfleet Cars

Railroad Model Craftsman 2004-10 pg. 87     Scale: N     Author: Roger Holmes & John Evans

Replacing Rapido couplers with a close-coupling drawbar.

Kitbash a Canadian Pacific Railway 60-foot Mail Car

Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-08 pg. 54     Scale: HO     Author: Al Crisp

Using an MDC Harriman RPO, the author built a model of this passenger car. Includes prototype and model photos, as well as a materials list.

Kitbashing Techniques: Building an NS Exhibition Car

Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-02 pg. 93     Scale: HO     Author: M.R. Snell

Using this prototype as an example, the author describes how easy it is to kitbash an existing kit into a unique model. It includes the various tools a beginner should invest in to make kitbashing easier.

Kitbashing a Business Car

Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-08 pg. 74     Scale: HO     Author: Dennis Brown

Kitbashing a Freelanced Combine

Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-12 pg. 68     Scale: HO     Author: Mike Chandler

The author converted a MDC old-time passenger car into a pre-WW1 combine for the author's CP-based layout.

Kitbashing a Payroll Car

Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-04 pg. 57     Scale: G     Author: Alan Anderson

Using a coach car, the author converted it into a payroll car, including burglary bars. Includes a materials list and photos on how to make the bars.

Kitbashing a Pittsburgh Railways Interurban Car

Railroad Model Craftsman 2012-01 pg. 52     Scale: HO     Author: Bob Dietrich

The author describes how he designed and had custom-made the sides for this car, and then used a LaBelle car kit for the remaining parts.

Kitbashing a Union Pacific Rules Car

Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-02 pg. 77     Scale: HO     Author: Mel Johnson

Using two MDC Pullman Palace kit bodies the author built this car.

Kitbashing an Erie Stillwell Coach in N Scale

Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-02 pg. 75     Scale: N     Author: Scott Lupia

The author took Model Power heavyweight passenger cars and converted them into these uniquely-shaped cars for the Erie. One prototype photo and many model photos are included, as well as a materials list. No scaled drawings.

Lessons in Passenger Car Part 2

Model Railroad Hobbyist 2010-11/12 pg. 32     Scale: HO     Author: M. R. Snell

This installment covers modeling the Conrail 21 car, which is a track geometry car. Includes prototype photos of this ex-SF car, and many step-by-step modeling photos.

Milwaukee Road/Canadian National Sleepers - P-S-1948

Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-04 pg. 44     Scale: (none)     Author: George Trager

Scale drawings and prototype photos, as well as a listing of the road numbers/names of this car are the main part of the article.

Modeler's Guide to Lightweight Passenger Trucks

Model Railroader 2005-02 pg. 66     Scale: (none)     Author: Kevin J. Holland

Covers in great detail how to identify individual trucks on passenger cars. Includes technical and historical information, and prototype photos. A side bar and modeling trucks only covers HO-scale models. Another side bar covers the Budd disk brake system.

Modeling Pennsy’s Class POS211 Observation

The Keystone Modeler 73 Spring 2010 pg. 23     Scale: HO     Author: Bob Chapman

The author kitbashed a Rivarossi observation car body and Laser Horizons' side panels. Covers the history and includes a prototype photo.

Modeling a PRR Camp Car

Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-12 pg. 77     Scale: HO     Author: Chip Syme

The author built a model of the PRR passenger car that was recycled as a work train service car. Includes one prototype and several model photos

Modeling the Amtrak Merchandise-handling Car

Model Railroader 1988-02 pg. 102     Scale: HO     Author: Gordon Odegard

The author scratchbuilds one of these cars. Detail drawings, model construction photos, and a bill of materials are all included. Especially impressive is the underbody electrical wiring that he installed on this model.

N Scale Express Car

Model Railroader 1990-03 pg. 84     Scale: N     Author: Gordon Odegard

The article kitbashes a Con-Cor 80-foot standard baggage car into a 60-foot NYC express car. Includes cutting diagrams, and construction photos.

N Scale Heavyweight Pullman Sleeping Cars

N Scale Railroading 2004-09/10 pg. 52     Scale: N     Author: Douglas Nelson

Installing air conditioning duct on Rivarrossi heavyweight passenger cars. Also includes replacing trucks, installing vestibule steps, diaphragms, painting, and interiors.

Narrow Gauge Pullman Sleeper

Model Railroader 1990-12 pg. 100     Scale: (none)     Author: Steven Brewster

Three-foot gauge sleeping cars of the D&RGW. Prototype photos and scale drawings are included.

PRR Class M70 Postal Car

Model Railroader 1978-01 pg. 81     Scale:      Author: George Drury

A one-page article about this car with one photo and scale drawings.

Passenger Car Standards

N Scale Railroading 2005-03/04 pg. 54     Scale: N     Author: Bill Denton

Upgrading his passenger cars to a fleet standard that includes American Limited Models' diaphragms, Z-scale couplers, Intermountain metal wheelsets, free-standing grab irons, window treatments, interior partitions, and weathering.

Passenger Cars From Core Kits Part 2

Model Railroader 2005-04 pg. 72     Scale: (none)     Author: Paul J. Dolkos

The articles covers how to build a Southern Railway Pullman sleeper using NKP Car Works etched-metal sides and a Train Station Products' core kit for an HO model. Next, the author shows how to convert a Bachmann coach car into an N-scale RPO for the Monon.

Perfect Passenger Trains

Model Railroader 2003-05 pg. 54     Scale: (none)     Author: Kirk Reddie

Prototype passenger trains. Explanations of the types of cars used in a passenger train. Shows diagram of Argentine Passenger Depot, as well as many prototype photos of exteriors and interiors of passenger cars.

Quick Upgrades for the Walthers B60b

The Keystone Modeler 31 February 2006 pg. 21     Scale: HO     Author: Bruce F. Smith

The author discusses the changes he made to this model to make it even more accurate. Includes lots of model photos.

Re-writing History: Passenger Cars for My Maine Three-footer

Railroad Model Craftsman 1996-06 pg. 69     Scale: HOn3     Author: Bob Bennett

The author describes how he kitbashed these wood-sheathed passenger cars. Includes finished model photos and a materials list

Reading RR Passenger Cars

Model Railroader 1984-11 pg. 90     Scale:      Author: Gordon Odegard

SP Caboose/combine 401: an On30 to On3 Kitbash

Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-10 pg. 55     Scale: On3     Author: Mallory Hope Ferrell

The author kitbashed a Bachmann On30 passenger car into this combine. Includes model and prototype photos.

Scratchbuilding N Scale Passenger Cars

Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-04 pg. 24     Scale: N     Author: Larry Elder

The author describes and shows how he built passenger cars using sheet brass stock. Includes construction diagrams, how to form the shapes, interior details, and a scale drawing of the Milwaukee Road Lake Pepin car.

Scratchbuilding a Mixed-train Combine

Model Railroader 2006-02 pg. 78     Scale: O     Author: Dick Scott

This car has a baggage compartment in the center and two segregate passenger compartments. Includes parts list and many detailed construction photos and scale diagrams.

Scratchbuilding a Narrow-gauge Combine

Model Railroader 1978-11 pg. 66     Scale: HOn2     Author: Peter Tuttle

This article describes how the author built his Sandy River & Rangeley combine no. 14. This is a step-by-step article, and includes prototype photos, dimensioned drawings, materials list, and many construction photos.

Southern Pacific Sunset Limited Sleeper 9000-9029

Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-11 pg. 52     Scale: (none)     Author: George Trager

Prototype photos and scale drawings of these SP cars.

Superliner Marker Lights

Model Railroader 2000-04 pg. 34     Scale: HO     Author: Jim Hediger

Battery operated marker lights for the last car in a train.

The Good News Chapel Car

Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-10 pg. 83     Scale: G     Author: Ed, Steve, and Jim Hauff

A freelance car that came out of a desire to have equipment on a new outdoor layout, but with budgetary restrictions. It was scratchbuilt following plans of a HOn3 wooden kit.

The Illinois Central's City of Miami

N Scale Railroading 2003-09/10 pg. 54     Scale: N     Author: Richard C. Thomason

Using a J7J shell on a Kato E8 chassis and passenger cars from Con-Cor the author modeled the City of Miami passenger train that ran between Chicago, Illinois and Miami, Florida.

Updating an Athearn Standard Coach

Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-10 pg. 68     Scale: HO     Author: Don Spiro

Includes diaphragms, how to use dividers to place details.