Atlas California Zephyr Sleeper Lounge Dome Observation improvements by Bob Meyer

Nice job. It looks so real.

Hi Erik • Very cool rolling stock project.

Gary

Much better.

 

Erik - Does the observation floor sit lower (i.e. less clearance) than the other domes?  

Looks much better... I'm thinking of putting a Proto Craft coupler in mine..... like you did on your SC Observation

Hey Erik:

 

Nice changes, but I do think if you (or anyone else) is going to do this coupler change, it would be better to use the Proto-Craft coupler.

 

http://protocraft.com/category...9C3-7A25ECA1C24EAEAE

 

Operationally the Kadee is fine, but the look of the Proto-Craft is so much nicer.

 

Did CBQ paint the couplers like SF did? In some pictures it sure looks like silver has been painted on the coupler.

 

Thanks.

 

Charlie

Charlie,

 

I kind of agree with you about the realistic appearance of the Proto-Coupler, but maybe Erik (or Bob for that matter...) wanted the capability to pull the train from the rear end and thus Kadee was the right choice.

 

Yves

This is Bob's car not mine. I will likely use PC or a brass PSC coupler.

I use scale couplers (mine are Hi Sierra, so far - same thing, almost) on the fronts of all locomotives except switch, and on the backs of all obs cars and many cabooses.

 

Kadee couples up readily for double- heading and unusual consists.

Hi Erik,
Thanks for posting my photos.  I agree that using a scale Protocraft coupler
might be a better choice for appearance and may change out the Kadee to one
of those, but for now I think the new style Kadee looks fine.  I don't have
a Protocraft coupler on hand but I do have some of the old Clouser couplers
which are pretty much the same thing.  Might give it a try.
I painted the coupler aluminum since old photos show they did paint the
coupler on the rear of the Obs.  Normally, painting couplers was a no-no on
the railroad.
Bob

Greg Posta of RGS Hobbies  sent this image of his work. Nice job Greg



I used a kadee long shank. The coupler box is hidden

Greg Posta

http://rgsrrhobbies.com

After looking at more prototype photos, I decided to recess the Kadee
coupler even further into the car body.  I think this is closer to what the
prototype looked like.
Bob

Clipping off that air hose is what really did it.  Now it is almost as good looking as Protocraft.

Atlas really hit a home run.
This miniature is just beautiful!

Thanks Atlas

That coupler change really does make a big difference

 

I do wish someone would do detail parts for all these cars, especially all those vents on the roof and along the skirting and the stirrups.

     Please remember when you are working on the ZEPHYR's we can provide the decals to finish these beautiful cars off. In fact we have had some requests for decals to change the names on the car name plates to suit the clients home town names.

     Thank you for your time in reading this post.

Dave, LBR

I couldn’t resist one more shot of this car.  It is such a nice piece (especially with the new coupler!).

Bob

JUST SUPER !!!

Dave, LBR

> On April 23, 2015 at 7:32 AM O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum
> <alerts@hoop.la> wrote:
>

Its not the coupler that looks bad but the draft gear box is hideous

Atlas, you hit this one out of the park. WOW!!! Just got mine open.

 

 

Dick