MT SP Caboose Photo

[Bob Bufkin]

If your looking for one try this site:

http://www.freetimetrains.com/

I got no connection with them and haven't yet ordered from them but they still show them.

[JoeD]

I have the drawings from the old Mainline Modeler at home.  Based on the drawings we have, it sits about .020" too high, or about 3" in scale.  I think it looks taller because it's so skinny I guess.  We tried a number of options to get it lower, but none of them were feasable in production.  I am trying to figure out another route for future underframes...BB had an idea we looked at before, but will look at again.

Joe
MTL

Are there drawings for this caboose? So you know how much to lower.

[nscalesteve]

If your looking for one try this site:

http://www.freetimetrains.com/

I got no connection with them and haven't yet ordered from them but they still show them.

Special Pre order price thru June 30th for Fall Delivery

[tom mann]

I lowered it by filing the bolsters down to the groove.  I actually think that Joe put this groove in there to guide lowering efforts.  Seriously!  This gives you two options for couplers to get them back to proper height:  1)  switch to Z (which I did and is close to being proper height) or 2) remove the top of the coupler box and mount it to the underframe (might work).

I don't think I got it as low as the prototype photo appears to be, but I'm sure I got it the 3" that Joe mentions.  Note that adding the FVM wheels adds more open space above the trucks, making it look higher.

Anyway, this is a nice model.

[oakcreekco]

Sweet.

[James Costello]

Can we apply the tunnel motor fix and run some I-beams down each side of the bolster???

(my Chuck-pack is on its way so I'm not playing yet).

[Ed Kapuscinski]

In action:
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=287041

How on earth would you model something like THAT?

[RockGp40]

In action:
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=287041

What a great shot!  I would love to know the lineage of that blue bulkhead on the right side of the photo. Ex-Rock, maybe? Guess I'll never know.

[Mark5]

Looks a lot better Tom, but yeah I think it still needs to go lower.

Should be interesting to see if the Athearn version nails the height out of the box.

Mark

[bbussey]

I lowered it by filing the bolsters down to the groove.  I actually think that Joe put this groove in there to guide lowering efforts.  Seriously!  This gives you two options for couplers to get them back to proper height:  1)  switch to Z (which I did and is close to being proper height) or 2) remove the top of the coupler box and mount it to the underframe (might work)...

Option #2 is problematic unless you carefully mill out a cavity in the bottom of the porch for the centering pin on the top coupler half.  Otherwise, Atlas makes an offset Accu-Mate coupler for one of their cars (don't remember which one, I think maybe the Hart hopper) but I don't believe it is available separately.  If so, that coupler can be used in the bottom half of the 1015 coupler box and another .020" or so can be shaved from the bolsters.  It appears that there still is more than enough clearance between low-profile flanges and the bottom of the floor.

[Chris333]

Lower it till that notch for the generator belt serves a purpose 

[SirTainly]

In action:
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=287041

How on earth would you model something like THAT?

easily..imagine the bit between to tracks to the left to be where the operator stands, and you've pretty much got a prototype for follwoing around the walls into an alcove and out again.

The track shape actually reminds me of a section of a layout I've seen.

[JoeD]

Z scale!!  ;D ;D ;D

Joe
MTL

In action:
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=287041

How on earth would you model something like THAT?

[wm3798]

In action:
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=287041

How on earth would you model something like THAT?

Sculpted pile carpet?

[Sokramiketes]

I have the drawings from the old Mainline Modeler at home.  Based on the drawings we have, it sits about .020" too high, or about 3" in scale.  I think it looks taller because it's so skinny I guess.  We tried a number of options to get it lower, but none of them were feasable in production.  I am trying to figure out another route for future underframes...BB had an idea we looked at before, but will look at again.

Joe
MTL

Are there drawings for this caboose? So you know how much to lower.

Intersting photo from BobDobbs over at Atlas... maybe there was an issue on those Mainline Modeler drawings.  Did you find the railroad drawings for these cars?  



I was thinking the car looked narrow, but maybe it's the right width and the height is too tall?