N scale Autorack panels?
Yep, with several options!So, are there any N scale modelers out there doing any freight car detail work? If so, I have some new products available for you to try out. After I finally figured out how to get the HO autorack panels into production, I figured it should be fairly easy to do it in N scale to fit the ConCor Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack models. And if you have models labeled Tri-Level, I believe these are the same model. All of the models I have are labeled Tri-level but the clam-shell doors on the end of the model are bi-level configuration. Am I missing something here? Anyway, I am happy to report that I am finally putting these panels into production.
Much like the HO scale panels, there are several variations of panels so you should be able to match your favorite prototype. Each set or kit comes with the appropriate panels, styrene strips to hold the panels, some drill templates and I will even through in some instructions.
The supplied styrene strips are used to bring the metal panels out about flush with the body posts. Should want to, you can cut the body up to give you that see through look these panels will give you. Look here to see how I accomplished the task of making a see through car. If you add these panels to your model, please send us photos and how you did it. We will post them here, On our customer photo page where I have posted photos of some HO autoracks sent to me. Check them out!
---Painting the back ground white would appear to be an empty car during the day
---Painting the back ground black would draw less attention to background (subject to debate?)
---Paint the back ground white and then paint black silhouettes of vehicles to give illusion of loaded autorack.
---For those who wish to cut the sides out, here is an idea. With the quality of printers now days, and the use of digital cameras, making loads for enclosed autoracks may be easy. (stay with me on this....) Go out and take photos of both sides of the auto or truck you wish to have in your autorack. Using your favorite photo editing software, insert each image in same group. Spread them apart so when you print them out on glossy photo paper, you can cut them out, fold them up and have side images of about any vehicle desired. Once inside and enclose rack, a person would have to get REAL close to see they are just photos.
--- If you are not cutting the sides out for the see through look, paint the background white, cut the vehicle side view image out and attach it to the side of the car behind the metal panels. While they may be hard to see real well, a true modeler will see them and admire your work! I hope you get the idea of what I am trying to say. Someday I hope to post this idea online to actually "show" you what I mean (along with several other of my 'dream ideas'! Send us your ideas to share here.
The following is a list of "sets" available.
Originaly, when I first released the HO scale panel sets, I felt that no matter how many set configurations I put together, I would still over look one or two or more. So I picked some simple configurations and then but together some 'Extra Panel Kits'. These kits contained a pair of panels with a solid logo panel in the second (B) position from the top and the modeler would have to buy extra panels to add to other sets allowing them to match their prototype. Yep, you would end up with extra panels left over.
While developing the N scale panels, more and more variations were discovered. Trying to figure out a way to cover all these variations and not have to make a complete set for each, I thought, "why not have end panels kits and center panels kits?". So I developed a Mix and Match Kits system that should allow you to match about any prototype enclosed bi-level autorack on rails at one time or another (matching ConCor Model).
The End panel kits contain the outer two panels on each end of the car, both sides, for a total of eight panels. At this time all of the large panels are the 'all perforated' panels. The small panels are the main difference here. Perforated, blank-flat and blank-formed (corrigated) are the differences.
The center panels kits are the five large panels in the center of the car, both sides, for a total of ten panels. Again, perforated, blank-flat and blank-formed(corrigated) are the differences. All blank panels in these kits are the second from the top.
Here is a list of the Mix and Match kits
Bi-Level End Panels "A" kits must be combined with a Center Panels "B" kit to detail one complete model.
| Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Outer End Panels "A" Kits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Qty Part# | Description | Price |
| #26011 | Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Outer End Panels "A" Kit Regular all perforated panels - ConCor Model |
$6.00 |
| #26012 | Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Outer End Panels "A" Kit Small Blank Flat Logo Panel - one per side - ConCor Model |
$6.00 |
| #26013 | Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Outer End Panels "A" Kit Small Blank Formed Logo Panel - one per side - ConCor Model |
$6.00 |
| Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Center Panels "B" Kits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Qty Part# | Description | Price |
| #26021 | Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Center Panels "B" Kit Single Blank Flat Logo Panel - one per side - ConCor Model |
$7.50 |
| #26022 | Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Center Panels "B" Kit Double Blank Flat Logo Panel - two per side - ConCor Model |
$7.50 |
| #26031 | Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Center Panels "B" Kit Single Blank Formed Logo Panel - one per side - ConCor Model |
$7.50 |
| #26032 | Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Center Panels "B" Kit Double Blank Formed Logo Panels - two per side - ConCor Model |
$7.50 |
As mentioned previously, I have also developed autorack panels to represent the newer 6% reduced holes style panels. These panels are the ones with variously spaced columns of holes. Some information I received from Jim Panza about these, 'The 6% side screening was adopted by the AAR for new racks when Thrall redesigned the autoracks in 1992. The requirement for a rebuilt rack, just as with the car, states that the car will be brought up to meet the requirement for a new rack. Therefore, when the railroads began to rebuild their racks, the racks had to be equipped with the 6% screening.
Like the earlier style panel sets I offer, all sets include the panels and styrene strips to mount the panels on and keep them flush with the side posts, drill templates and instructions.
With the reduced number of railroads now days, there are not very many configurations needed to cover what I have found. Here is the listing of initial 6% reduced hole sets I am producing. If anyone knows of one I missed, please let me know.
| Bi-Level Autorack 6% Reduced Holes Panels | ||
|---|---|---|
| Qty Part# | Description | Price |
| #270 | Bi-Level Autorack Panel Set - 6% Reduced Holes - all panels perforated - ConCor Model | $13.50 |
| #271 | Bi-Level Autorack Panel Set - 6% Reduced Holes - Large Blank Flat Mid Logo Panel - one per side - ConCor Model | $13.50 |
| #272 | Bi-Level Autorack Panel Set - 6% Reduced Holes - Large Blank Formed Mid Logo Panels - one per side - ConCor Model | $13.50 |
| #273 | Bi-Level Autorack Panel Set - 6% Reduced Holes - Small-double solid logo panel - UP style #1 - one per side - ConCor Model | $13.50 |
| #274 | Bi-Level Autorack Panel Set - 6% Reduced Holes - Large double slogan panels and small double solid logo panel - UP style #2 - one each per side - ConCor Model | $13.50 |
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