Retrofitting Aristo-Craft New See-through Roof Walks

Retrofitting Aristo's new see-through roof walk Vignette - with pictures
Ted Doskaris
Revision GE-B1
March 28, 2007

Since I have many Aristocraft new old stock (NOS) 40 foot type cars with the toy like glossy, black colored roof walks, I decided to replace them with Aristo's newer type see through roof walks - which is sold in a kit: "ART-29704 SEE THROUGH ROOF WALK FOR FREIGHT CARS". These are molded in a brown type color so there is no need to paint them when installing them on similar color cars. Installing Aristo's new see through roof walk requires removing the old one first. Below is shown an example New Old Stock (NOS) Milwaukee Road box car having the old, black roof walk. The new roof walk is molded in a brown color and is close enough in most cases to match the "box car red" (brown) or maroon colored rolling stock. 

Below is a side view of Milwaukee Road NOS box car having the old, black roof walk with the yet to be installed new roof walk in the foreground.

Shown below is the removal of the original roof walk parts that can be done by prying with a flat blade screwdriver whilst using a small piece of cardboard to protect the paint finish of the car. (From what I have experienced, the Aristo factory typically installs the original roof walks by press fit without using glue. (BTW, The newer cars that already come with the see through roof walks are glued in place.)

CA glue can be used to fasten the new roof walk since the little mounting tab posts fit too loose compared to the original roof walk. Also, a long, flat object like the 24 inch level I used is advisable to hold down on the rather flexible new roof walk before the glue dries in about 15 seconds.

Often it is required to put one's hand through the car door to push up against its ceiling whilst pushing down on the roof walk to assure the tabs are fully seated before the glue dries. Shown below is an example Union Pacific 40 foot NOS car that I had to do this to.

Shown below is the example Milwaukee Road 40 foot NOS box car with installed new see through roof walk.

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