KCS cabeese

[Philip H]

So I'm thinking - a little 97% isopropyl Alcohol, some Squadron Green putty, and some silver paint . . . could turn this:
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Micro_trains_Bay_Window_Caboose_CSX_p/mtl-13000040.htm

Into this:



Any objections?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Those are wild trucks.

The proportions might be a bit off, but it'll probably be closer than anything else. Go for it!

[Dave Schneider]

You might want to also consider the Walther's bay window.  Its not really a work of art, but it isn't bad.


Best wishes, Dave

[Philip H]

Dave,
I had considered this, but the end details on the walther's car look too course for my liking.

Ed,
Not at all sure where I would get the trucks - they almost look like heavy weight freight trucks as opposed to traditional caboose trucks.

As far as I can tell, the stainless steel sides showed up in the very late 60's or early 70's and were still around until the end of caboose use - I even have some in early photos I took as a teenage in baton Rouge in the 1980's.

What I haven't found (yet) are any good shop drawings or plans.

I'll keep you posted.

[qantaqa]

those ladders and endrails on your prototype photo look exactly like the replacement MT ones I just got from MBK

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MTL-49950905

weird...

[Philip H]

those ladders and endrails on your prototype photo look exactly like the replacement MT ones I just got from MBK

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MTL-49950905

weird...

Yet Another reason to go with the MTL car - though I will have to remove the roof details as these were (I think) all smooth tops.

[Rich Businger]

The KCS stainless steel cabeese were made by Darby Corp.  The trucks are from Rockwell.  I only know of these trucks being done once in H.O. brass. 


Rich   

[sirenwerks]

Those aluminum cars were very cool and those high-speed trucks would need to be kitbashed, definitely. The MT car looks better proportioned but you would really need to replace the bay with a scratchbuilt one that fits the wider proportions of the prototype. Also, on both the models the roof sill is very deep compared to the prototype. BTW, you'll need to add a vent to the equipment box side as well, and maybe those two weld seams on each side of the bay, which are fairly prominent (can't tell if the MT caboose has any).

Here's some more shots:
http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=42323
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1673855
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1422276
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1422264
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1578523
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=770521
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=192235
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=190982
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=572969
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=921232
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1461582
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1673851

[Philip H]

Bryan,
Thanks for the insights.  I agree that the trucks may be the coolest part of the whole thing.   The rest of the mods you suggest are all about styrene strip and shapes . . .

[sirenwerks]

The weld seems might take some ingenuity. As Lee's recommended before, a scribe line and some fine wire (covered by paint) may do it or Archer has decal weld seem (though not made specifically for N scale) - http://www.archertransfers.com/.

[Mark5]

those ladders and endrails on your prototype photo look exactly like the replacement MT ones I just got from MBK

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MTL-49950905

weird...

Yet Another reason to go with the MTL car - though I will have to remove the roof details as these were (I think) all smooth tops.

Why not the Athearn C50? Same proto and likely not to have as extreme ride height issues.

[Philip H]

The Athearn C-50 may also work, but I have yet to actually touch one.

[bbussey]

I would at least wait until the Athearn models are released, as they are better proportioned than the MTL car.

[H Lee]

I would at least wait until the Athearn models are released, as they are better proportioned than the MTL car.

You are correct about the MT caboose proportions - if you are talking about many cabooses - especially the SP that it is supposed to be.........................
But, if you look carefully at the KCS pic, the taller MT sides are much closer to correct for the KCS caboose than the Athearn car would be.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Aren't Rockwell trucks reproductions of Euro spec trucks? If they are, I'm sure you may be able to find something from Arnold/Roco/Minitrix etc.