The final three models in this series looking at boxcars and reefers built to operate on the Norfolk & Ohio layout of Carl Appel (more here) are his take on building the postwar Scale-Craft reefer kit.

Part I looked at Nason models by Appel, which were very much prewar kits with printed sides and sand-cast aluminum frames. The Scale-Craft reefer is, on the other hand, a postwar kit, lacking the sand-cast bronze details of their prewar reefer. This version was produced in some quantity right after WWII, and to be honest an example built straight from the kit is not going to look as great as these models do. You could call it kitbashing; for Appel these kits were just a starting point.

First off, all three cars have the same early Kadee coupler and hose setup, and all three have the original Scale-Craft frame and their simple “brake valve” turning. That Appel opted to not upgrade. Where he went into upgrades was with the sides and roof.

Perhaps the most striking conversion is this boxcar. He used Scale-Rail Industries sides, made just before WWII. The ends are pressed cardboard, and he added end lettering by hand. The roof has a cardboard overlay to which he added the Scale-Craft cardboard roof ribs. This roof is the least successful in look compared to the other models, but then again the car really is very striking. He does extend the sides a bit, as they were not long enough for the body, the extension being hidden under the ladders. It is not noticeable really, but the doors are as a result slightly off center.

The other two cars were built as reefers. One initial negative — I think the body color choice for the SFRD car is incorrect. But both are on Schorr trucks and as of now they both have prewar Champion sides — although the URTX car originally had Nason URTX sides. And there starts a story.

When this car arrived, it was in a lot purchase and someone — I really don’t think Carl Appel! — had glued unpainted (!!) Scale-Craft brass reefer doors on the sides. One was tilted, and both looked horrible. I finally made the call a few weeks ago and decided to remove the doors and replace the sides with fresh sides. The original model had the same general type of sides, just the Nason version of a URTX side.

Appel had a keen eye for the big picture, and built these differently than any other reefers I’ve seen. Basically (as done also with the boxcar) he extended the roof (a thin and stiff cardboard overlay) and the ends over the sides so that they fit in a recess. It really improves the look, with the piece at the top of the sides helping out a great deal as well. Also notable, he uses metal roof ribs that are similar to Famoco/Eastern ribs, but different.

One hatch was also missing from the URTX car, and I found a very close match in my parts supply. Finally, the roof was repainted, as was the board at the top of the sides. I tried to be gentle with the restoration, and I’m happy with the result.

All of these models operate well and are a testament to his skills. I have one other Appel model, a passenger car — it will be a topic of a future article as well.

Return to Part I