R-70-20 Reefer conversion

[Kozma Minin]

I want to convert this car -



into one of these, ARMN R-70-20 Refrigerator Cars -
www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=131332
www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=587875

There will be cutting and scratch building involved but nothing outrageously out of control. This should be a simple straight forward project.

First I identify where I need to cut out sections to look like the real 1/1 prototypes. Then disassembly.


Some details got broken during this step so I'll fix those later.


I'll need this ladder detail after cut outs so I made a quick mold


inexpensive automotive silicone gasket material out of a squeeze tube. I have industrial mold release agent in an aerosol can that I sprayed on the model (master). Other stuff available to you can also work such as PAM


I applied two thin coats so each layer will cure thoroughly since it's an air dry material. You can see that it captures detail well.



thanks for looking.... more later

[Kozma Minin]

first was the sizes and locations of the panels to be cut out and removed. the cuts started by scribing with the back edge of a sharp blade


first cutting started on the roof against the last raised detail to keep the cut straight in the correct location


for the other three sides, the scribing was done from the inside against the walls


once I can see the cuts showing through the other side, I used the sharp edge for the final cuts and cleaning the corners after popping out the panel


for this part I used a steel ruler for a blade guide to keep the cut straight and in the correct location


this is why the mold was made, because the ladder will be cut out and gone




after this panel was removed, the egdes and details of the factory ladder was removed by filing so that the 'new, cast' ladder will fit correctly

[Kozma Minin]

after the body cuts were made, I replaced the floor part to see what it looks like.
Problem is the floor part shows above the cut out.



I filed the raised edge of that area but it still wasn't enough.



I measured and cut off the area in front of the truck mount, cross bar, detail.



then glued it back on in a lower position against the truck mount detail.



This works because it looks like it would in a 1/1 prototype

[Kozma Minin]

The wall fort the refrigerator unit is secured to was made next



styrene material was purchased at a local 'dollar' store

I have styrene of different thickness already so it was used. If you do not, the material pictured above can be laminated to the desired thickness with liquid hobby cement


The inside width of the car was measured and tranfered to the styrene then cut.
Then inserted into the model with the carriage floor in place to get the final position height of the wall


This piece was firmly held in place while the carriage floor was removed and set aside so I can use a pencil to mark the inside of the roof shape


marked piece ready to cut





wall piece glued to the floor only so I can paint this area later

[Kozma Minin]

The decision was made to cut out the other side and install screen detail to look more like the 1/1 prototype.
I was going to avoid this to save time and get right into painting but since I cut that upper opening out.
It will look better with it cut out


first thing to do was make another mold of the ladder detail for this side


using the same scribing technique as described above, I gently followed the factory molded details




this step is finished after sanding away the ladder detail because a new one will replace it




this inexpensive deep fryer kitchen utensil was purchased for the fine screen material


measured and cut


dry fit for now so I can remove it and paint it separately




strips were cut from the styrene sheets to make the frames around the new openings

[Kozma Minin]

I dug though the part box and found a mini-BIC style disposable lighter for the refrigeration units which I think are made by, Carrier Transicold.

SAFETY NOTE: Be sure that the pressure inside the lighter has been released prior to cutting into it.

It looks like an acceptable size and shape for one of these reefer units in HO scale

[Kozma Minin]

This reefer conversion is now finished and under primer

here are the last steps with the mold and casted ladder details


ladders cast with A+B epoxy very carefully.
After mixing, I used a toothpick to put the liquid into the details and worked it around.
This will reduce the clean up work later






thanks for looking in.
Painting will progress later . . .

[Kozma Minin]

This was suppose to be a quick weekend project while working on another scale project.
Three weeks later, it's ready to paint as any of the ARMN reefers of this style

[Cole Only]

OUTSTANDING!!