I stopped in at Hill's Hobby in Park Ridge, IL ( www.hillshobby.com ) and spoke with some experts on trains.

I gave them some info I researched in CC's books about Dirk's Pullman Sleeper car from Night Probe!

The story took place in 1914.

There is a gold American Eagle on the doors for the sleeper car.

In Deep Six, it is described as having gold lettering stating, "MANHATTAN LIMITED."

The knowledgable gentleman at the hobby shop asked me if it was a New York or Pennsylvania line. I told him it was a line called Manhattan Limited and I gave him a brief synopsis of the storyline.

He said, "Then it wouldn't have been marked with either line (NY or PENN) since it was a custom government car. It would have been the standard Pullman black over green at delivery." Then it could be painted whatever color the gov't wanted."

So I ordered one. It is made by Bachmann Industries ( www.bachmanntrains.com ) under their Spectrum line. It is HO scale/gauge and the part number should be HO Car UNDECORATED PULLMAN GR BAC89527 so ..... or at least that's what my receipt says. Price was $30 plus tax.

Hills said they are available by phone at 1-847-823-4464 and they will ship anywhere in case you don't have a train shop near you.

I printed out a gold fancy block letter strip with a black background that says, "Manhattan Limited" and then I google searched "american eagle" to find some to print out. I then put them on the Pullman sleeper car and I think I now have a pretty accurate version of Dirk and Summer's sleeping quarters in Pitt's hangar.

I hope to have pics of the Pullman added to my web page sometime tonight.
See it at: http://community.webtv.net/rtteacher

Sounds interesting! Can't wait to see it! :)

Nice job! You can help me anytime organize things for my Cusslermen site. Great presentation.

Cheers,
Dave

mm6mm6,

Great site !! Those pics are fantastic and the stories were a great read. You guys sure looked like you enjoyed yourselves.

You got me thinking about model making now ... need more hours in the day :(

Wow!! That is a great looking pullman sleeper car. I too will be ordering one of them soon and that is a great idea for adding the labels. Thanks for sharing your pics they are great.
Take care
Mike

Great model, mm6mm6. It really turned out sharp looking! Your other models look to be impressive as well. Thanks for sharing with us.

Thanks everyone! I'm glad you all enjoyed it so much.

Making up the site was a fun way to extend my enthusiasm that was still flying high after meeting CC!

I made a very serious attempt at locating a proper Stearman monoplane model like Kitty Mannock's. My dad (a pilot and airplane enthusiast from wayyyyy back) told me I wouldn't find a model of that plane as none were made. I didn't believe him. I should have. No models available. I was going to try to build the land yacht Dirk and Al escaped out of the Sahara with.

Probably better I didn't because in a few months that vehicle will be up on the big screen and Toys R Us will be carrying models of it that little Dirk and Al action figures will fit in!

-Steve

There's a model company that specializes in 1/600 scale models of civil war Ironclads. It's called "Thoroughbred Models." One of the models they carry is that of the USS Tennesee. Now I figured that with some minor mods to the superstructure, you got yourself a pretty good representation of the CSS TEXAS.

In addition, Revell sells a model of a B-29 Bomber. With some homemade decals and removal of all the gun turrets except for the tail, You got yourself a good replica of "Dennings Demons". Why not throw in a model of a Mitsubishi Zero for good measure. Good diorama possibilities here guys!