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My latest layout (see OGR Run 304 – The NYT&B Railroad) is finished, and last week I was looking for a small project to keep me busy, so I built a baggage cart kit by Bar Mills Models that I had purchased when the layout was under construction.

MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_01_KIT

The kit contained two small sheets of laser-cut parts and a set of instructions. It certainly looked simple enough. However, it presented a bit of a challenge due to some very small and fragile parts that were not that easy for me to work with or to see clearly.

MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_03_PARTSMELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_04_INSTRUCTIONSMELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_05_PARTS

First, I removed all the parts from the sheets, trimmed them where necessary, and then painted them with acrylic paints. I applied a mixture of alcohol and India ink to darken the wood planks on the baggage deck and then began to assemble the parts with yellow carpenter’s glue, breaking several spokes off the wheels and two stub axles in the process.

MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_06_PARTSMELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_11_PARTS_PAINTEDMELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_13_PARTLY_ASSEMBLED

Eventually, I got the model put together.

MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_20_COMPLETEMELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_17_COMPLETE

I think it looks OK on the platform surrounding my station – if you don’t look too closely. It could also use some baggage, but I don’t have anything suitable right now.

MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_21_ON_LAYOUTMELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_23_ON_LAYOUTMELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_25_ON_LAYOUTMELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_24_ON_LAYOUT

While it was easy enough to build this kit in O scale, I don't think I would enjoy doing it in HO... Just another reason why I intend to remain in "O."

MELGAR

Attachments

Images (13)
  • MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_01_KIT
  • MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_03_PARTS
  • MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_04_INSTRUCTIONS
  • MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_05_PARTS
  • MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_06_PARTS
  • MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_11_PARTS_PAINTED
  • MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_13_PARTLY_ASSEMBLED
  • MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_20_COMPLETE
  • MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_17_COMPLETE
  • MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_21_ON_LAYOUT
  • MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_23_ON_LAYOUT
  • MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_25_ON_LAYOUT
  • MELGAR_BAGGAGE_CART_24_ON_LAYOUT
Original Post

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gunrunnerjohn posted:

Looks great, and I agree about O-scale, HO is too small for my fingers!

Bummer, GRJ and others.  To this day, I still occasionally sit and assemble a Micro Trains bulk pack of N-scale #1015-10 couplers for fun and relaxation. 

But not to fear, as far as REA Baggage Cart craftsman kits go, I still would much prefer O-scale. 

MNCW posted:

Mel/MELGAR,

Very nice looking cart. "Back in the day" they were so common to see on railroad platforms. By the way, you should say you didn't break those pieces, instead, that was part of the "weathering" process. 

Tom 

Tom,

In this case, the only thing that is weathered is the model builder... The axles had a square cross section and the holes in the wheel hubs were round - and too small. I attempted to round off the axles with a file. It took me two broken stub axles to conclude that this wouldn't work. The remedy was a small file to open the holes in the fragile spoked wheels - and to glue the stub axles back on... It's not unlike installing jewels on #228 steamers...

MELGAR

Last edited by MELGAR
gunrunnerjohn posted:
Mixed Freight posted:
gunrunnerjohn posted:

Looks great, and I agree about O-scale, HO is too small for my fingers!

Bummer, GRJ and others.  To this day, I still occasionally sit and assemble a Micro Trains bulk pack of N-scale #1015-10 couplers for fun and relaxation. 

Some of us are somewhat deranged!

Hey!  I resemble that remark!  

I think it looks great, Mel.

The missing spokes add a touch of realism, but a wooden toothpick  or bbq skewer might be the right circumference if you wanted to replace them.

The following links on the "bay" had some luggage that might work.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/O-sca...42b7af01baba3620a79a

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-P...1:g:qSAAAOSwwXRbyKwV

Last edited by Richie C.
Richie C. posted:

The missing spokes add a touch of realism, but a wooden toothpick  or bbq skewer might be the right circumference if you wanted to replace them.

I tried to replace the broken spokes during assembly but could not do it. They are mere slivers of wood, much smaller than a toothpick. The wheels themselves are quite fragile so, at this point, it's probably best left as is. But thanks for the suggestion and the baggage information.

MELGAR

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