| N-Scale Athearn PS2 2893 Covered Hopper |
12/10/2011
This is a factory painted Athearn model. I have replaced the roof walk with a Plano etched roof walk from a
50' boxcar. The brake stand was trimmed out and a trimmed roof walk was glued in place. The brake chain
was replaced with some chain cut out of a MT boxcar frame. All the grab irons were cut off and replaced
with brass wire. All the brake plumbing was done with brass wire as well as the train line pipe. Train line
hose is from BLMA. Trucks are MT with Fox Valley wheel sets. Coupler is MT Z-Scale. Weathering done
with artist oils and AIM pigments. I have added COTs plates and ACI label. After finishing the detail work I
matched the factory paint by just mixing in a little yellow with white. I masked off the lettering and over
sprayed the unpainted parts.
Contrary to popular belief, Penn Central in service freight cars were not falling apart rust buckets. Period
photos of in service cars show them as being weathered, but in rather decent shape. I wanted to represent
a dirty car, but not one that has seen years upon years of neglect.
Early covered hoppers and gondolas are my favorite cars. Athearn did a great job with this car.
50' boxcar. The brake stand was trimmed out and a trimmed roof walk was glued in place. The brake chain
was replaced with some chain cut out of a MT boxcar frame. All the grab irons were cut off and replaced
with brass wire. All the brake plumbing was done with brass wire as well as the train line pipe. Train line
hose is from BLMA. Trucks are MT with Fox Valley wheel sets. Coupler is MT Z-Scale. Weathering done
with artist oils and AIM pigments. I have added COTs plates and ACI label. After finishing the detail work I
matched the factory paint by just mixing in a little yellow with white. I masked off the lettering and over
sprayed the unpainted parts.
Contrary to popular belief, Penn Central in service freight cars were not falling apart rust buckets. Period
photos of in service cars show them as being weathered, but in rather decent shape. I wanted to represent
a dirty car, but not one that has seen years upon years of neglect.
Early covered hoppers and gondolas are my favorite cars. Athearn did a great job with this car.