RPM Chicago Mini-Kits
Early registration gifts from the workbench of Frank Hodina at Resin Car Works.
History
Kit contents were usually resin goodies like new doors, side sills, ends, or other freight car conversion parts.
They were a good way to try resin as a modeling medium, and helped foster model building, a tenent of RPM shows. RPM Chicagoland has been lucky to have Frank Hodina and team donate their time and materials since 2016 so the tradition can continue.
Let’s build more models!
2019 Mini-Kit: Illinois Central Single Sheathed Boxcar
In 2019 the Mini-Kit was offered in HO and N scales. Frank Hodina worked on the conversion of an Accurail HO scale single sheathed boxcar into an Illinois Central prototype with a new set of ends and other assorted details. Mike Skibbe took inspiration from Frank's...
2018 Mini-Kit: FGEX 40ft Truss Rod Reefers
In 2018, the Mini-Kit was once again offered in HO, N, S, and O scales. Frank Hodina conceived the HO scale kit as a conversion of an Accurail 40ft wood reefer model into an FGEX 40ft truss rod car. Working off his queue, Mike Skibbe developed conversion parts for S...
2017 Mini-Kit: CGW 1937 AAR Boxcar
The 2017 rendition of the Mini-Kit was offered in four different scales! First, Jason Kliewer's 3D cad model of a Pullman Standard "Carbuilders" end was the basis for new resin ends in each scale. The ends were 3D printed, and then combined with other mastered parts...
2016 Mini-Kit: B&O M-15k
2016 marked the return of the Mini-Kit to RPM Chicagoland. The car was a conversion of the Fox Valley Models B&O M-53 wagon top boxcar into an earlier M-15k rebuild. The M-15k's featured a notched side sill, while resin conversion parts were developed with new end...
Register Today
Registration for the next RPM Chicagoland opens around April each year. Mini-Kits are generally limited to the first 100 HO registrants.
Resin Car Works
Be sure to visit Frank and his minions at the Resin Car Works page, where you can buy other resin parts, past Mini-Kits, and full resin freight car kits.
Bring Models
Display Models
Bring your built up or in progress Mini-kits back to RPM Chicagoland. We love seeing them on display in future years.