richs09 posted:***********************
I have in mind a similar project -- the CA zephyr at one point sported a dome - observation car (a 'boat tail' version), in fact I think one of those cars still exists. American Flyer (S gauge) made a four-car Aluminum passenger set -- combine, coach, dome and observation car. I have extras of the dome and observation cars purchased with the idea of removing the boat tail on one and attaching it to the dome car. In this case, its gonna require some cutting of the end of the dome car to get the truck position correct. The only way I can see to do that - since I don't have a milling machine and I'm certain I can't make a straight enough cut with a hand saw - is to fire up my radial arm saw with a non-ferrous metal cutting blade and see if I can get a straight and square cut that way. I've seen a picture of someone else's attempt at this - which was well done - but no details on how they did it. Since these are 'generic' passenger cars, there are few true prototype details, so this will be, at best, a "if you squint your eyes, it looks pretty good" effort.
Rich: (1) can you remove a dome from one of your extra cars; and, (2) do you have an extra observation car?
I did basically that with a PW LIONEL 2531 observation car using a donor dome from a 2532 vista dome coach many years ago using a beater obs car and beater dome. Actually, the cut in the roof was done by a buddy--I just gave him the aluminum shell and the dome. Worked just fine. Even offset the dome towards the rear of the obs car, rather than center it.
My suggestion would be to find a "buddy" with a mill and have the job done right.
Good luck with the project.
