Kit bashed FGE Truss Rod reefers

[cduckworth]

These two reefers started life as Accurail models; I carved off the cast on hand holds and ladders and replaced with wire versions and separate ladders. The underframes were scratch built from Evergreen styrene, short Tichy queen posts on one car and the longer angled queen posts I found available on Shapeways. Fishing line used for the rodding. Turn buckles are Tichy or another brand (I've had them over 40 years). Decals from National Scale Car.

[ACL1504]

Charlie,

Nicely done, look great.

Tom 

[GPdemayo]

Good looking reefers Charlie.....

[deemery]

(I tried to post this earlier, looks like it didn't take.)

I use monofilament for truss rods, usually starting at one end (tie a knot, then pass the mono from above).  I lay the mono alongside the queenposts, and lace through the holes, adding the turnbuckles as necessary.  Then, after the last hole, I attach a hemostat clamp to the running line, turn the car upside down, and adjust tension. 

On this car, (hopper bottom gondola) I ran each truss rod separately.

Then I put CA on the first hole and last hole.  I pull the mono over the queenposts, and adjust tension if necessary.  Then I put a drop of CA on each hole, and on the queenposts (to prevent the mono from slipping off.)

If you're careful, you can paint the truss rod and turnbuckle, leaving the clear mono in the middle of the turnbuckle, so it looks like there are two rods connected with that turnbuckle.

dave