After completing the interior work on my California Zephyr Aluminum K-Line 15” RPO/Baggage combo car, I decided it was time to put a wood floor in my other 15” baggage car. The gray plastic floor with a bunch of holes in doesn’t look so good!
I had already updated the stock incandescent lights with LED strip lights and one of gunrunnerjohn's LED power supplies.
Disclaimer: This project started out as a simple wood floor installation and turned into something else!! This project took two full evenings and a trip to the model train store, it was not done in one day as this thread suggests.
This is my proof that model railroading can trigger brief, and even prolonged, episodes of insanity! The following will clearly show my level of insanity.
Here you can see the cheesy plastic floor.
Chassis removed from the body. This particular car the chassis slips out pretty easy, some are a pain!
I already had the scribed siding wood 1/16" thick. One piece wasn't long enough to cover end to end, so I put the seam in the middle. Measure twice and then cut. Box cutter knife of razor blade works best.
I used Woodland Scenics Earth Tones paintfor the floor, its water based and easy to clean up. It also leaves an imperfect paint job which is what I was looking for. No mater what type of paint used on this thin wood it will warp without any support.
Applying the wood to the gray plastic subfloor I use some CA gel glue and bricks during the cure. The plastic is strong enough to maintain its shape and not warp. Plus, once the floor is attached to the chassis is will stay flat.
Reattached to the chassis nice and flat.
Okay, all is good, but this is where I loose it!!! Keep in mind that the only windows in most baggage cars are in the sliding doors!
I scratch built cabinets for the baggage and install them. These took some time.
Gotta have some luggage and cargo too, right? I mean the guy has to put that hand truck somewhere. Figures always add live to a scene.
Finally, slide the chassis back into the car body, attach the wires, fasten the ends, put it on the tracks.
Of course with the doors closed ya can't see much of anything. LoL I'll admit, my episode of insanity was fun!