Warren D

Very bland.....well done!

Yes, the O scale does cost! But, for now, it's the only game in town so the other choice is to scratch build. It could be done, but it would take at least as much money and years of time. I'm working on my second loco (same number but will be weathered) and I have two coaches in various stages of prep. I also have a couple of the HO scale locos and one HO coach that I added a full interior and passengers to. I've spent the better part of twenty years photographing there, I really like the old steamers. Had a chance to ride in the cab and took it!! It was loud, hot, dirty and shook like an industrial sized paint shaker!

Thanks. That ought to keep me busy for a while!

Another build from the late 1970's this was an ERTL kit. I really liked the ERTL kits back in the day, looked up the current prices and wish I had bought a truckload of them back in the day....would be able to retire! The white paint hasn't held up well, it's yellowed. The ends on the bumper were cut off as many did that back in the day. I was told it let air flow across the front tires which made it more stable at highway speeds.

A couple more pics:

Thanks all. It was a good car, probably the cheapest I'll ever own. Bought it with 46K and sold it 5 years later with 150K. Had a 307 with a mild cam and factory 3 speed on the floor. It moved ok for it's time....

Very Nice!

Very well done.

Very well done!

Are there any sources for truck detail parts? I'd be looking for air lines, Perlux lights, etc. I found a couple of small things in a net search, but I might be missing something. Seems like there should be more out there. TIA

Mine was Cream Yellow, the photo is a little darker than the model.

A model of my first car from the AMT COPO kit. Made a few mods to get it looking like a 72.

Thanks for the kind words, everyone! AMT did do a Autocar A64B, I found my old build. Nowhere as good as the dump though and the old kits, if you find one, are insanely expensive. I'd love to see re-issues of much of this, including the old MPC and IMC lines.

Thanks. Nice looking truck, Lee. IIRC, there was a kit years ago of an Autocar tractor. I may have had one back in the day.

Thanks!

Fantastic job on this!

Thanks, I'm sure I do somewhere but that was at least one computer ago. Easy conversion, just fill the holes in the roof for the light bar. If you need the spoiler, that will be the hardest. Otherwise, just leave off the cop stuff and you have a civie!

Thanks everyone. Having been my first ride, Autocars have special place. Then again, I like Petes, KW's, and any COE!

Very nice job on the paint. What are you using? Spray can or airbrush?

Great additional ideas. Lets keep this thread going, feel free to add your own ideas. I like the dirt suggestion for dump trucks, construction equipment and anything that runs on dirt roads!

Yes, the boilers are level as it climbs the 25% average grade. Keeps the water level in the boiler and prevents bad things from happening (like overstressing the flues and uneven heat that causes premature metal failure aka boiler explosions!)

I have tried to make models of the cars and trucks I have owned. This was my longest lasting car to date, a 2000 Impala in Regal Blue Metallic which went 10 years and 215K miles. I used a police car kit to start and added the rear spoiler (made from scratch) mixed the color from various PollyScale colors. It was hard to get the metallic flake right, I got close. Can't find the proper rims, but that is something I can do later.

Very well done, like the color. Looks like you've mastered using Tamiya!

There is an old trick to making tires look more realistic. I mention this as I'm seeing some great builds here that have shiny new tread on the tires. If you want that, fine, I just think that anything with wheels and tires looks better with a little wear on the tire tread. It's simple enough to do. Before you start assembly, take a sheet (or section of a sheet) of some 240-400 grit sandpaper and lay it on a flat board. I've been using 3M wet or dry on an old breadboard for years! As you are drawing the tire across the sandpaper, rotate as if you were doing a burn-out. Rotate the tire in your hand until all the tread has been roughed up and the shine removed. That's it! You have just simulated tire wear. If you want a lot, go for it! Flat spots? Out-of-alignment? whatever you desire. Finer grit is less wear, and you can vary the downward pressure. In the end, it's your choice.

Waumbeck, MWRY#9 in O scale. From a Shapeways print, decals by Roger Hahn, extra details added.