2022 Challenge #1. Proto 2000 Tank Car.

[Zephyrus52246]

Full disclosure, I started this about 2 weeks ago, finished today.  I think again this year I'll do a few small projects rather than one large one, to try to keep on task.  Last year I built a Proto 2000 hopper car.  I mentioned then that I like to do one of these each year to test my vision and ability to put tiny grab irons in tiny holes.  I managed again this year without much problem, so I think I'm good for modeling for another year.     This isn't a blow by blow, more a summary of the build.  Here's the contents.  Plastic parts on sprues, wheels, couplers, weights and instructions.

Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

Lots of tiny delicate parts.  They suggest a brand new knife blade, and it's necessary, too much pressure and the part will break.  Fortunately, they give you extra grab irons.  I cut one too close and broke it.   


Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

They also suggest building the car on a soft folded towel.  I used this foam device.  I still broke a couple of grab irons, just handling the thing.  I didn't use the kit wheels, I used Code 88 ones from Intermountain  I think I only have a few wheels left, I'll need to get more before I build more freight cars.  I sprayed these dark camo brown to kill the silver color. 


Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

This is the grab that goes around the tank.  I managed not to break it removing it from the sprue and putting it on the car.  The instructions weren't clear which way it goes (the pins that go in the tank are not even with the grab).  I had to look at a finished car in my inventory to make sure I put it on right.

Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

Finished.  No weathering this time, I've never weathered a tank car and will practice on some old Athearns before I tackle these and the others in the fleet.  There are some glue globs (on the left near the dome is a finger print which I've since wiped off).  But after some dullcoat or other spray the globs will not be shiny any longer.  I'd forgotton the difficulty of placing black grabs on a black car was.  But, on to the next project.  A Fos "freebie".

Jeff

[GPdemayo]

Great job Jeff.....nice looking tank car.    Love it.....I am still trying to figure out what kit to do and you're already finished. 

[PRR Modeler]

Great job Jeff. You have more patience than me. 

[ReadingBob]

Great looking tank car Jeff.  From what I recall the Proto 2000 kits, while quite nice, are quite a challenge to build.  Definitely not 'shake the box' type construction. 

[Raymo]

I have a couple of gondolas to build and it's been atleast 15 years since I've built one. Even with plenty of light I find working with black parts difficult to install too.

[ACL1504]

Jeff,

Great job on the tank car. I've built a few of the Gould, now Tichy, tankers and they were a challenge as far as all the small black grab irons and hand rails around the tanker.

Your tank car looks great.

Tom 

[Oldguy]

Great looking car.  Still remember the APCO gas stations around here.  Damn, I'm old

[tom.boyd.125]

Jeff,
Well done car build.
Tommy

[Mark Dalrymple]

Looks terrific, Jeff.

Onto the next challenge...

Cheers, Mark.

[S&S RR]

Jeff


Very nice job, it looks great.

[bparrish]

Pretty cool .... Sir




Thanx


Bob