The CB&Q class NE #14700 was a one-of-a-kind waycar built in 1959 for use at the Western Avenue yard on transfer runs. It was built from a XM-26 boxcar for which the Accurail outside braced boxcar provides a correct starting point in HO scale. An excellent drawing of this waycar is included in the June 1997 issue of the Railroad Model Craftsman and a color photo of the prototype taken in 1970 appears in Mike Spoor's CB&O Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment.
Begin by removing the side doors, keeping the sill below the door intact as well as the vertical Z bars at the door edges. Since the door is 1/8" thick, I drilled a series of 1/16" holes inside the cut line to allow the Exacto saw blade to start. Next, remove the stirrups and brake staff bracket so that the bottom of the carbody is flat. Clamp a new Zona saw blade between two 5/32" wood or plastic strips with the teeth projecting out 1/4" to 5/16", against a smooth flat surface. I use a piece of 1/4" thick plate glass. The idea is to slide the car body back and forth against the saw blade just cutting through the body above the sill. Start the cut across the ends, then into the sides, stopping just before the second vertical Z bar. Next, cut down the roof and side 6 1/2 ft. from the end of the car straight down to the side sill. The second small rib on the roof is 6 1/2 ft. from the end. Now saw from each end just below the eave line back to the end edge of the second vertical bar. Cut vertically down along the Z bar edges to complete the body cutting.
Assemble and detail the Accurail floor and epoxy it in place. Make the
end floors of scribed siding allowing them to project into the ends of
the car body. Make up the new car ends of scribed car siding and 24" wide
doors and install in the car body. Add facias to the ends of the roof and
install the roof walk. Make up the bay window assemblies of styrene sheet.
The center windows can be made of modified Grant Line outfit car windows
but the end windows are built up. Glue weight in the car body at this time,
but do not install the bay window assemblies till the car has been painted
and weathered so the window glazing can be kept clean. The side and end
railing are .020" brass wire soldered after the bottom ends are inserted
in drilled holes in the sills. The brake wheel and gear is modified Athearn.
The ladders and stirrups are from .010" x .030" flat brass and the grab
irons and cut levers .015" Phoz. bronze wire. The trucks are Old Pullman
#40011 Andrews. The decals are from the BRHS covered hopper set and Herald
King. The stack and marker lamps are scratch built.
DAVE BECK Rev. 1/22/98
Copyright 2002