Shop – N & HO Scale Train Parts & Design

Milwaukee Railroad Church Car Interior

Al Harkins — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 19:04:03 +0000

I only know of one church car once owned/operated by the CMStP&P. The pictures show the interior of the Catholic church car that was in Nevada City Montana in the mid 70’s. I was lucky enough to get in the car and take photographs. My thanks to Charles M Bovey.

Micro Trains Lines released the N scale “The Church Car” 5264 thru 5266 in December. I have created an approximate interior for the 5266 Catholic Church Car. You will see the alter rail surrounding the worship area. Also, I have included a pedal organ on the left side of the car, the alter as well as the opening for the confessional. I hope you enjoy the photos, and the model will be available on my web site NScaleTrainParts.com.

Horst Air Intake – Funnel

Al Harkins — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:16:23 +0000

The Milwaukee Railroad installed the Horst Air Intakes on their GP-9s and 10s and in some cases relabeled the engines as GP-20s. The had a variety of hoods, some with cutouts, rounded (my guess the originals), and some with a funnel bottom.

Horst Air Intake Hood – Round

Al Harkins — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:11:40 +0000

Horst Air Intake Hood – Cut

Al Harkins — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:07:34 +0000

End Bent

Al Harkins — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 20:25:18 +0000

This is a standard highway end bent. It has a nice slope to keep any fill materials from dropping near the cap and the beam shoe, The Milwaukee RR used a shorter Wing (that can be cut off for that application).

Bridge U Shaped Abutment

Al Harkins — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 18:34:53 +0000

A Bridge U Shaped Abutment is usually a concrete structure that is constructed to carry the first and/or last part of a bridge structure weather it is a plate girder or a deep Viaduct Girder bridge. The abutment consists of the concrete front wall, a cap that holds the plate girder in the air, and wing walls to keep the roadbed from sluffing away from the tracks. The wing walls are separate so the modeler can place the walls straight back or at an angle. I do not provide a footing because in modeling we are usually working from the top down, and it would be hard to locate the footing exactly where everything has to go.

This can be done in Ho scale.

Bridge Frame

Al Harkins — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 17:58:02 +0000

This plate girder bridge frame is based on the Southern Pacific bridge crossing highway 99 just North of Ashland Or. I remove the side plates of an Atlas plate girder bridge, position the frame on the back of the plate girders and attach them as I want to see the bridge. The next step is to paint the structure from all positions, and then plan the structure to hold the bridge up. This item could also be updated for Ho Scale.

Grain Doors for a 40’ box car

Al Harkins — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 21:47:01 +0000

Prior to Covered Hopper Cars grain was shipped in box cars. To contain the grain from leaking out of wood lined box cars, grain doors were provided to contain the grain. In addition, “Grain Doors,” black paper was provided to seal the car doors. Once the car was spotted at a grain elevator one side was sealed to nearly the top of the car door on one side. The side closest to the elevator, one door was left out so the car can be loaded, and the grain distributed into place. The final door would be placed just prior to the finishing loading. Once the car reaches its destination the doors are removed one at a time on the side the worm is located.

These N Scale doors are designed to fit the Micro Trains 40’ box car. Although not specifically designed for Milwaukee Railroad cars, I’m sure there were plenty of them used shipping from the central Montana planes.
I was lucky enough to have been around these procedures in the day, and lucky enough to not be there when the car was being loaded with all the related grain and dust.

The Grain Doors are available now.

If Ho modelers are interested, please contact me.

Spark Arrester for N Scale Milwaukee RR Switcher

Al Harkins — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 00:06:34 +0000

This N Scale spark arrester is designed for the NW2, Kato EMD Milwaukee switcher. Shown are the arrestors as manufactured, and the final photo is my engine with the arrestors dirtied up you might say.

The spark arresters are available now.

If there is interest in the same for Ho Scale please contact me.

Tip Top Tap Car Complete

Al Harkins — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 21:31:35 +0000

The lounging and recreation space for all passengers on the Olympia Hiawatha, the Tip Top Tap was a full length car as delightful in atmosphere as it was distinctive in details. The Tip Top Tap Grill is partially divided into 2 sections by a central pantry and curved a bar. Though the car served a dual purpose, the restaurant end was intended primarily for those who wish a light meal or snack, and the cocktail lounge your favorite beverage was expertly mixed and served.