I'm actually a big fan of Kinsman kits and have built several over the years with still more to build. I really like the Express Reefer kits and when complete they make a fine model. There's nothing like real wood to simulate a wood car. The steel underbodies are another story. I remember that at one time V&T Shops offered a urethane fishbelly underbody and a ribbed roof casting that would fit a 40-ft. car. These would certainly improve the Kinsman reefer and box car kits and save a lot of time. I wonder if the new owner of the V&T molds (Wiseman is it?) offers them or plans to do so. Another improvement that I found works well is to substitute the 1/32" underbody basswood material with 1/32" aircraft plywood. This eliminates the wood splitting when you pass through piping and brake levers. The real challenge on the express reefer is drilling holes in the 1/8" wood channel sections for the air and steam lines. This is where plastic has its advantage. I recently finished an express reefer and will post some photos soon.
Bob Frascella (trying to get back to) Wenham, MA On Oct 29, 2012, at 9:23 PM, scale S only wrote: > Heresy! > Bill Winans > ---------------------------- > .... but am finally beginning to accept that I need no more freight cars on > my layout. > > Roger Nulton > >
