I have converted one of the GHQ 8 hatch reefers to a reasonable copy of the early CPR 281600 series of reefers, built in 1946.
The conversion required the following:
1. Trim the bottom of the car (sill) and install a styrene bottom to accurately copy the flat profile of the CPR prototype. The side was puttied and sanded flat.
2. Add a center row of rivets to the panels. I didn't have Archer rivets availbale so I used a # 78 drill bit and a ruler to embose the rivets.
3. Trim the ladder one full rung.
4. Remove the cast on tack board and use the brass piece to relacate.
5. remove liquidometer and make a new one in proper location.
6. Replace ladder rungs with 0.010 brass rungs
7. Add a MT "metal" style walkway, but leave the wooden plateforms, per the prototype photo's I saw.
8. Add the unique hatch rests, using 0.08 brass wire.
Here's the results:
Because I model early 1970's I weathered the car well; and added paint outs, as by this point in their life they would have been "ridden hard and put away wet" a few times.
The model is close to the prototype and certainly passes the 3 foot rule.
I will be converting three more cars in the coming months.
Thanks GHQ for such a good model.
Mike "Puddington" McGrattan