For the benefit of anyone thinking of 'restoring' a trailer like this, would you say that it is one-and-a-half to two times as much work as building a new trailer from scratch? That's what it looks like to me - I am in awe of your tenacity and perseverance.
Thanks Andrew.
After I got it home and realized just how big a bite I'd taken, there were a few minutes when I considered throwing in the towel...but stubborn pride you know...
I suppose it would be 2-3 times harder.
In a way it is easier, because if you leave the layout pretty much the same there aren't many design considerations.
There is a huge amount of time though, in staying true to the original, both in actual restoration of pieces and parts no longer available, and in special considerations for the original builders, that is to rebuild window and door openings out of square, etc. to match the siding and panels that were originally cut to match.
To just "decide" to build a trailer from scratch is easier I guess if you have plans, but without, such as with the Cabin Car, even though new construction is much faster, it is all slowed down by the need to design a workable plan in your mind, then make adjustments as you go.
One must always be thinking ten construction steps ahead, and comprehend how # 6 will go with #9, and so on.
It is great fun to take on such a challenge, but a slow process as my mind doesn't work as fast as I'd like it too...
Rob
Waiting for "someday" will leave you on your deathbed wondering why you didn't just rearrange your priorities and enjoy the time you had, instead of waiting for a "better" time to come along...