Scratchbuilding a Swift 36' reefer in HO per Paul Larson

[jbvb]

This build is based on an article and plan starting with page 22 of the October 1953 Model Railroader. The author, Paul Larson, became the editor of MR in 1956. Art Schmidt did the photography, it appears Paul drew the plan.  My MR only goes back to 1967, so I'm working from a photocopy provided by an RR-Line member some time back.

I got the materials and started work a few years ago, but stopped when I found water-based PVA glue made the roof sheathing curl. Weight and clamping didn't help, I was left with an ugly, highly visible joint. I'd previously built a couple of Northeastern/Ambroid wood open platform coaches using old Ambroid cement with no curling trouble at all.  Sadly, it appears I can't get anything in the same chemical family as Ambroid anymore.  I suppose I could try Goo, Weldwood or another contact cement.

Your thoughts?

[deemery]

Transfer tape?

dave

[jbvb]

I have some transfer tape, but I've no useful experience with it. I need to check if I have enough Northeastern wood for another failure.

[jbvb]

Two bits of good news:  I tried squeezing my old Ambroid glue tube down; when it got to about 1/3 the original volume, Ambroid glue came out the tip.  And "3 Rivers Archery" sells an arrow fletching glue with similar chemistry for $8 per 2 oz bottle.  And I found Dave Emery's email directing me to the Paul Larson article.