As long promised, a walk through my Athearn blue box era grain train. Other models shown by Atlas, Accurail, Model Die Casting MDC / Roundhouse and Walthers. Many of the models shown are newer than blue box timeframe, but these all originated during the time that Athearn was still making shake the box kits. These make up a pretty decent looking HO scale train that doesn't break the bank like their more modern counterparts do.

Chapters in this Video:
00:00 Introduction
01:38 The correct wheel size and Kadee coupler model for Athearn PS 54' covered hoppers
03:05 Athearn 54' Pullman Standard covered hopper cars
04:53 A custom Frisco Athearn PS car in BN green. Do I have any Frisco grain fleet experts in the audience?
05:27 Checking an Athearn car after couplers replaced with Kadee #27 underset couplers
06:21 Accurail smooth side grain cars. 1 is painted out from Lincoln Grain to BN
06:51 My FOBNR Friends of Burlington Northern Railroad custom painted railcar with FBNX 2020 decals.
08:16 A pair of oldschool MDC Roundhouse FMC hopper cars and a pair of modernized FMC hopper cars with finer details on the ends
10:23 It is the year 1968! Great Northern big sky blue cars from Athearn and Atlas.
11:23 Walthers grain cars! Peavy Grain and and an unevenly spaced rib side 70 ton car
12:42 An Athearn RTR wide vision caboose (waycar if you are on the Q) appearance improvements
14:38 Request for feedback and closing
15:41 Short blooper reel

I mentioned about the pink farmers' elevators cars in this video, and then referenced the freelanced purple Morefield Southern boxcars. Here those cars are:
   • HO Scale Freelanced Football Themed S...  

I mention in the video about getting the coupler's pulling face to the correct height. Here's a Kadee handout that might help with getting you to the correct coupler.
http://www.kadee.com/media/documents/...