BDE-09

Lehigh Valley Railroad.

The Black Diamond Express,

in 1/29 scale.

Car #7 - Solarium Observation

The last car! :) the Solarium Observation car. The LV had two of these large observations, one named the "Black Diamond" and one named the "White Diamond". They were built new for the 1925 edition of the Black Diamond Express.

The cars later had a rear door added, but still kept their solarium windows. Then both were heavily rebuilt in the early 1950's, losing their big solarium windows all together. Both cars still exist today! although in this heavily rebuilt form.

I am going to model the "Black Diamond" car in its original configuration, with the Solarium end, and without the later side skirts:

Modeling the observation car in this configuration, with the original Solarium windows, while being hauled by Alco PA's, will create a bit of an anachronistic problem! ;) Hardcore LV fans will understand! ;) a few have probably already spotted it. But here is how I am going to handle the problem: I choose not to care! ;) Because this is the Observation model I want to build.

This will be the most heavily rebuilt of all the cars in this project, and it will be the only one who's length is increased! increased from a prototype 72 feet to 83 feet, which will add 4.5 inches to the length of the model. The additional length will be added in from a piece of one of the cars that was shortened.

Also, the sides of the car will need to be discarded completely, only the frame, floor and roof (lengthened) will be retained, plus the trucks. The sides, side windows, and rear solarium windows will need to be completely scratch-built. Good thing im saving this car for last! ;) I will need the experience gained from building the "simpler" cars before it. I have done a similar "stretch" before, although in a different scale, and with the sides not as heavily modified..still, I thought the On2 car turned out well: http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/scottychaos/On2/

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