Baggage-Express (per consist No. 1-Z L.A.-Chicago in lieu of Baggage-Express-Mail)
A. Description:
B. Name/number: to be determined from 1820-1839, see photo of 1772 on P. 47 of Passenger Trains in California
C. HO model: Suydam RR-5
D. Details to be added to the model: frame (kitbash from Walthers chair car, Walthers 932-10351), trucks (Central Valley T-22 trucks, K-23 kingpins), diaphragms (Am. Ltd. #9200); rain gutters and grab handles on the roof, brake wheel and gear; when were clerestory windows plated over and replaced with four screened vents?; paint (see section 11 below); decals (Champ PH-8B)
- Detail showing baggage-express lettering
This detail of a 1940 photo confirms that the lettering has “, INC.” that is missing from Microscale 87-1043 and Champ PH-8B decals. I’ll need to piece together the letters from other words on the decals. The photo is of an ATSF 3461 on page 223 of Santa Fe Locomotive Development, Larry E. Brasher, Signature Press.
E. Major references: Model Railroader, P. 378, August 1942; Car & Loco Plans for Model Railroaders (for car #s 1820-1829); http://www.movie-trains.com/sleroster1.html; Head End Cars, Ellington & Shine
- Drill #79 holes for the grab irons and use a piece of .030″ styrene to space them away from the body. Glue them with CA from inside then after checking that the position is OK apply a blob of 5-minute epoxy for added security.
Grab irons for the top of the roof are formed with a Mission Models Grabhandler using the .35″ width.
Drill holes in the body after applying masking tape cut to 4″ scale to space them away from the edge. Like the other grabs, use a piece of .030″ plastic to make them a uniform height from the roof then cement from the inside with CA. After checking to be sure they are in the right positions, apply a blob of 5-minute epoxy on the inside to further secure them.
Work on the undersides begins with the coupler mounting.
Begin work on the floor by removing the water tank, batteries and generator from the Walthers Santa Fe Chair Car. Parting lines on the remaining details have been scraped off. Shorten the floor and add .040″ sheet styrene to the ends to fit the brass body. Unneeded holes are filled with styrene rod.
2.1 Baggage-Express-Mail (per consist No. 1-Z Chicago-L.A. in lieu of Baggage-Express)
A. Description: (don’t know if it has a 15′ or 30′ mail room)
B. Name/number: (to be determined, 2105-2114 for 15′ mail room SFRH&MS kit)
C. HO model: SFRH&MS car sides and core (made by NKP Car Co., no #)
D. Details to be added to the model: floor (scratchbuild) & trucks (Central Valley T-22 trucks, K-23 kingpins), diaphragms (Am. Ltd. #9200); decals (Champ “bronze gold” color); Santa Fe coach green paint
E. Major references: Head End Cars, Ellington & Shine
Prototype photos
A more-or-less complete heavyweight baggage-express was seen in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Oct. 1, 2011 located adjacent to the RailRunner station there.
Ex-ATSF heavyweight baggage-express
Click on the link to see dozens of photos, including details. Try to ignore the graffiti.
