'Building an EBT Boxcar in 1:20' by Bob McCown

Building an EBT Boxcar in 1:20

The East Broad Top has a unique boxcar, that is made out of mostly off-the-shelf parts: Zee, angle, sheet. The cars were built in batches, starting in 1913. The cars were rated at 30 or 35 tons. Some of the cars were also used in carrying water, or clay. They wern't all the same size, but were close. They were about 34 feet long, give or take.

The model we're building is a representation of these cars, but not following any one particular prototype car. In addition to the many photographs on the web, an indespensible resource is Tim Mulina's Quick Pic book. Also, Gary Buchnan was helpful in providing drawings of the cars. Bruce Chandler was very helpful with sizing out the parts, encouragement, and general ear-bending.

Our model will be made of acrylic and styrene, with various bits and bobs of wood (balsa or basswood), white metal and/or brass.

Parts List

In addition to the basic box kit, you will need the following:

Plastruct 90520 1/2" I Beam - (4@15") - 4 strips per car

Plastruct 90515 3/16" I Beam (5@24") - about half a strip per car

Plastruct 90537 5/16" channel - (4@24") - 2 strips per car

Plastruct 90594 3/16" zee (5@15") - 8 strips per car

Midwest 516-56 .156" angle (3@13") - 1 1/3 strip per car

Plastruct 90770 .100" square rod (10@10"). You can get two cars out of one pack.

Plastruct 90780 .125" square rod (10@10") - 2 strips per car

Plastruct 90798 5/32"x3/16" (5@10") 2 strips per car

Plastruct 90800 .187 (3/16") square rod (5@10") - 3 strips per car

3/16" x 1/2" basswood or balsa wood. About 10".

You'll need some assorted styrene sheet, for the roof walk, brake platform, and the fascia board on the sides of the cars. Also some thicker styrene (I used .060) for the door hardware and the end beams.

Lately, I've been buying all my styrene from Hobbylinc . They seem to have a great selection, and mostly are always in stock.

Ozark Miniatures has a D&RGW brake wheel w/ pawl sold in packs of 2.

Brass wire (.040) for the grab irons, and some brass strip for the stirrup steps. Or, you can use commercially available grab irons, but they won't have the distinctive EBT look. Phil's Narrow Gauge (an advertiser, caveat) has some great grab irons in brass, that I've used on other projects.

Tools List

X-Acto knife, razor saw, acrylic adhesive (I got mine from TAP Plastics) and applicators. I'm using both their free-flowing, thin cement, and IPS's Weld-on #16, which is thicker, and better for some jobs. Also dig out your styrene cement. A thin-point Sharpie to write on the parts.

Machinist squares to line things up. A good assortment of clamps, or clothespins. Rubber bands. Weights.

Large, flat surface to work on.

A way to measure in 1:20 accurate to within a scale inch. I have a scale ruler.

Table of Contents

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