About the time I bought these, I learned of a guy in NJ who made letterboards. This was before email and he did not accept phone calls, so I had to use snail mail to "talk" to him.
I had him make up 10 "SOUTHERN" nameplates for use on LIONEL wide channel 15" cars, but never did use them. They might work on these Benson cars. I did place one name plate on a car to check the proportions; it isn't laying flat and it's a bit crooked:
Because the extrusions are the same as LIONEL's, the Benson shells will accept LIONEL frames, as well as interiors in place of the Masonite. But, as noted, the extrusions are not scale and they would require a fair $$$$ investment to become rail-worthy just to provide trucks and couplers.
They'll go back in storage while other projects get completed.
Thanks to all who replied.
