Introduction

Below is the outline of converting an HO Walthers (ex Train Miniatures) box car to Sn2. The first conversion uses the stock shell, in the second conversion the shell is narrowed.

Walthers Boxcar to Sn2

(From Jeff Saxton)

Edited from comments originally posted to the predecessor to the Sn2 Mailing List on or about 98-04-18.

Here are some notes about building some really cheap-and-quick Sn2 cars based on commonly available HO models. These ideas are offered for those who want to get something up and running quickly and inexpensively. These cars will fill that need until you have time to scratch build some more detailed and accurate rolling stock, and until some really neat Sn2 kits become available!

I had a scrap box bought from an HO friend that was full of junked Train Miniature kits/RTR cars (Last offered by Walthers as their 40 ft DS Boxcar, #2150). A quick comparison to the plans in Two Feet Between the Rails, Volume II, by Robert C. Jones showed that these HO cars were exactly (or so nearly so to be irrelevant) to the length and height of Sn2 cars.

The problem is the HO cars are between 6 and 8 scale inches too wide for SR & RL stock. Once you see a built-up car, though, you can live with that inaccuracy -- and besides, HOn3 gauge is 10% too wide for true two foot in S (HOn3 = 26.5"), so the nearly 10% over scale width in the car body actually keeps the proportions the same. The Train Miniature tooling is now owned by Walthers, and they occasionally are re-run in batches. They are also prime swap meet fodder, so look around there.

At a list price of $8 to $9 for the complete kit, they are quite affordable. Add HOn3 or N Kadee's; Kadee #438 air hoses; Grandt #4059 brake wheel, #4019 turnbuckles; and Detail Associates #2205 cut bars; and you have a very respectable car (click here for more sources of parts useable in Sn2). I have not updated the pricing I worked out, but in 1994, these cars worked out to be between $16.00 and $19.00 each, complete!

Narrowed Walthers Sn2 Boxcar.

The incomplete shell at the right was narrow to a more prototypical width by using a table saw to cut the shell down the middle. The two sides were then spliced together, new roof walks and end details were added. The next step would be to add Grandt Ladders and fabricate a new under frame. This car may never get finished, but it shows what can be done. (the work on this shell was done by David Keith & Paul Miklos).