Tom,
Here's basic rundown. In my opinion the most important detail you can
add is a BTS 02402 Three Piece Brake Set because these would have been under
every car. These were generally grouped together near the car center
lengthwise and off set to one side. Probably the most striking visual
improvement you can make is the BTS 02407 Truck Brake Cylinders and Torsion
Bars. While not strictly an "under-side" part, these are very visible because
they are on the trucks. BTS also makes the only available generator, 02425.
These sat on the center sill with the drive shaft pointing towards the nearest
truck. There should be a drive on the axel that would turn this, but that's
getting excessive. Generally there would some battery boxes and some air tanks
along either side of the center sill. The Supply Car sells these. BTS lists
theirs as parts for heavyweights, but you may find some useful. The Supply Car
has two types of water tanks. Either is a good choice unless you know which
you want. In general I'd say the 310-009 LW Small APWS Tank is best. These
were mounted on the center sill of the car. An air conditioner is a must for
lightweight cars, and really for heavyweights in the 1950's. Many railroads
used one type of AC unit on all their cars. Larger roads tended to have
several types. The Supply Car has a couple varieties of AC units. I believe
part 310-003 shown on their website is actually a Waukesha Ice Engine unit. If
you use this, you should also use one of the propane cabinets part 310-011 or
310-013 as that was the fuel that powered the unit. Eastern roads seemed leery
of these. The PRR would not run them through the tunnels into Penn Station in
NYC. AC units were placed along one side of the car. There were also some
small control boxes and other bits. BTS offers some other parts like steam
lines and end steps that you might want to add. This should get you started.
More information available upon request.
Jamie Bothwell
On Sep 2, 2012, at 3:47 PM, Tom Hawley wrote:
>
> I think Jamie recently offered help with under-body equipment placement on
> passenger cars if one would identify specific cars where this is wanted.
> (Can't find that specific message right now.)
>
> What I had in mind was American Models' first passenger cars, the so-called
> smooth-side cars. My own modelling needs don't require precise accuracy for
> specific cars, though that would be nice if easily obtainable. I'd just like
> to see something under those cars to make them a little more realistic than
> they are with absolutely nothing down there.
>
> Tom Hawley -- Lansing Michigan
