I would like to build a number of HO scale passenger cars using the Eastern Car Works kits and the lightweight car sides. Can someone give me information on how the kits are put together and how the look when finished? Will each car kit provide enough material to complete a total car?

-- Scott Lofreddo (Thewayfarer@worldnet.att.net), November 11, 1998

Answers

Also see a very thorough article in the September 1999 Railroad Model Craftsman on building passenger cars using sides sold by NKP Car. It's applicable to using sides sold by others as well.

-- Stephen T. Wagner (swagner@law.harvard.edu), September 21, 1999.

Scott, it is my understanding that each Eastern Car "core" kit contains the floor, 2 ends and a roof section. In each core kit is a set of instructions from Eastern Car describing how to assemble the "core". The sides are then factored in according to the instructions. Hopefully, you know that the sides are sold in pairs (1 car's worth) by the Society. These sides are designed to be perfect fits for the Eastern Car Works core kit. The Society also sells the core kit so you have something on which to mount your pair of sides sold by the Society. The result of assembling a pair of sides (your choice of car type) and the core kit (same kit for all car types) is one so-called lightweight car. Decals are also available from the Society to complete the car.

-- Wayne R. Long (e9_wayne@usa.net), November 15, 1998.