Post by theace on Jul 16, 2012 23:37:58 GMT -5
I just bought another 'bucket list' model train, a custom painted Hallmark brass ATSF Superintendent Business Car. Now I was not really in the market for one of these, as it does not fit my SP 1950/60's theme, however I have always wanted a model of ATSF 404.
I happened to find it at Brass Trains dot com 15 hours after they listed it for sale, so after about 10 minutes of thought I clicked buy it now. I kind of regretted it because I just finished paying my full semester college tuition and I know how much I could have done with the money instead of buying a scale train. Those thoughts disappeared immediately when I opened the shipping box which contained my purchase, just seeing the models box in person excited me to a level which rarely happens. Inside the box was the train I always wanted, since I was a 3 year old, and unwrapping it made me smile like I haven't done in a while.
The model was not in perfect condition, it had some dust on it and a few small chips in the paint, but none of this could hold me back from being satisfied with my purchase.
Now about my buying experience from Brass Trains dot com, my package was packed better than it was when it was originally manufactured; the trucks and open platform were cushioned with foam pieces with the entire car was protected by clear plastic. Inside the box I also found a note stating "Packed by Becca", thank you so much Becca for making my purchase a great one. Most companies just throw your train in the box with the usual peanuts and hope it arrives safely, but these buys pack it in a box and know it will arrive safely. I will definitely be a lifetime customer of Brass Trains, and I now check their site everyday. They also sent me a free book about brass trains, which apparently sells for $74.95. It is a great book, it has pictures I could foam all day at of brass model trains. Great book.
Away from the non-paid, non-solicited plug, as good as the model already was - there was some room for improvement. I painted and lubricated the wheels, put new Kadee Short Shank Scale Head Whisker couplers on, took off the window 'shades' putting light yellow origami paper in its place (covering up the fact that the car was void of interior detail), I also covered the rest of the windows that were showing behind the shades with frosted scotch tape, I painted the deck railings gold colored, removed the marker light lenses and repainted the lamps black with red and green 'lenses', painted over the chips, painted the air and signal hoses, and added a vestibule door and diaphragm door windows, then added a observation platform weather barrier like those found on the real cars.
All these slight modifications brought the car to a level of detail that truly satisfies me.
Yes, the marker lights should have actual lenses, the trucks should have more detail, the 'canvas' weather barrier is not great (nothing else was available for sale, so I custom made one), the window shades should be grey or very light blue, the car needs side view mirrors behind the rearmost side windows, the car does not have steam connections, interior detail, lighting, or under frame detail - however none of this bothers me. It is just perfect to me, however I am thinking about adding a battery powered Rapido lighting kit to it (I do not want to modify the car heavily for track powered lighting), TCY trucks, and the missing mirrors.
My inspiration for my upgrades to this car come from TO'er kdrtrains and his beautiful rebuilt style silver roofed Hallmark ATSF 424 Superintendent's car that he showed in this 2007 Trainorders thread titled "Superintendent out on his territory". I hope he does not mind me posting his photo of the car in his thread, it is done to show how he inspired me to replicate some of his ideas on detailing this car (Now, I didn't completely mimic his ideas, I changed them a bit to better satisfy my own tastes).
I also hope the company I bought the car from does not mind me posting their images they had on the sale listing, but seeing as I now own the car I don't see it being a trouble for them.
I love this car, and cannot wait to play with it next time I run trains. It is one of the best train purchases I have made in a long while.
Now, I will go back to saving up money for a rainy day fund....
____________
Thanks for looking, and good night fellow rail fans.
Comments/Tips welcomed!
D.G.M
I happened to find it at Brass Trains dot com 15 hours after they listed it for sale, so after about 10 minutes of thought I clicked buy it now. I kind of regretted it because I just finished paying my full semester college tuition and I know how much I could have done with the money instead of buying a scale train. Those thoughts disappeared immediately when I opened the shipping box which contained my purchase, just seeing the models box in person excited me to a level which rarely happens. Inside the box was the train I always wanted, since I was a 3 year old, and unwrapping it made me smile like I haven't done in a while.
The model was not in perfect condition, it had some dust on it and a few small chips in the paint, but none of this could hold me back from being satisfied with my purchase.
Now about my buying experience from Brass Trains dot com, my package was packed better than it was when it was originally manufactured; the trucks and open platform were cushioned with foam pieces with the entire car was protected by clear plastic. Inside the box I also found a note stating "Packed by Becca", thank you so much Becca for making my purchase a great one. Most companies just throw your train in the box with the usual peanuts and hope it arrives safely, but these buys pack it in a box and know it will arrive safely. I will definitely be a lifetime customer of Brass Trains, and I now check their site everyday. They also sent me a free book about brass trains, which apparently sells for $74.95. It is a great book, it has pictures I could foam all day at of brass model trains. Great book.
Away from the non-paid, non-solicited plug, as good as the model already was - there was some room for improvement. I painted and lubricated the wheels, put new Kadee Short Shank Scale Head Whisker couplers on, took off the window 'shades' putting light yellow origami paper in its place (covering up the fact that the car was void of interior detail), I also covered the rest of the windows that were showing behind the shades with frosted scotch tape, I painted the deck railings gold colored, removed the marker light lenses and repainted the lamps black with red and green 'lenses', painted over the chips, painted the air and signal hoses, and added a vestibule door and diaphragm door windows, then added a observation platform weather barrier like those found on the real cars.
All these slight modifications brought the car to a level of detail that truly satisfies me.
Yes, the marker lights should have actual lenses, the trucks should have more detail, the 'canvas' weather barrier is not great (nothing else was available for sale, so I custom made one), the window shades should be grey or very light blue, the car needs side view mirrors behind the rearmost side windows, the car does not have steam connections, interior detail, lighting, or under frame detail - however none of this bothers me. It is just perfect to me, however I am thinking about adding a battery powered Rapido lighting kit to it (I do not want to modify the car heavily for track powered lighting), TCY trucks, and the missing mirrors.
My inspiration for my upgrades to this car come from TO'er kdrtrains and his beautiful rebuilt style silver roofed Hallmark ATSF 424 Superintendent's car that he showed in this 2007 Trainorders thread titled "Superintendent out on his territory". I hope he does not mind me posting his photo of the car in his thread, it is done to show how he inspired me to replicate some of his ideas on detailing this car (Now, I didn't completely mimic his ideas, I changed them a bit to better satisfy my own tastes).
I also hope the company I bought the car from does not mind me posting their images they had on the sale listing, but seeing as I now own the car I don't see it being a trouble for them.
I love this car, and cannot wait to play with it next time I run trains. It is one of the best train purchases I have made in a long while.
Now, I will go back to saving up money for a rainy day fund....
____________
Thanks for looking, and good night fellow rail fans.
Comments/Tips welcomed!
D.G.M
