Inspired by the ET&WNC Azalea, a small group of modelers have built their own version of this classic.

I started with the underside.  I added the air, water, and gas tanks, as well as the required plumbing.  It looks good, but you really can’t see it once the model is painted and turned right side up.

I did a bit of work on the interior.

First, the walls.  I printed some red oak wood grain on adhesive vinyl and stuck this on the inside walls, just to give it a more finished look.

I printed a carpet pattern on the same vinyl and stuck that on the floor.

I originally made a seat for this project back in 2004.  I made a mold and cast over 70 chairs.   Half were given to my friend Doug in Canada. 

I painted up a few figures and glued everything in place.

I made a partition and buffed from styrene and brass.  I used some of my stain glass pattern for part of the partition.

Lighting is provided by 7 LED lamps.

The railing is made from brass.

“Build an observation-car end rail” was published in the June 2011 issue of Garden Railways.

The article details building the end rail from brass rod and strip using basic metalworking skills.