About the NE5 caboose...

[sirenwerks]

Not long ago, I considered myself a modeler of contemporary railroads, so I didn't pay much heed to cabooses. Now that I'm modeling the time of the caboose my knowledge is trying to catch up. In particular, I'm trying to learn about the NE5 caboose, as used by the Chicago Great Western. So I have two dumb questions I need answered by those who know (note, I said those who know, rather than those who care to wildly postulate without factual grounding of any sort).

I've been wondering whether it's worth the effort to modify Atlas NE6 cabooses or sit on my hands and wait for someone to release a the real thing. To weigh this question I started doing some research and came across drawings of the New Haven NE5. Stupid question #1 - the NH caboose is the basis for the CGW car, right?

I came across two drawings, a NE5A (http://crcaboose.railfan.net/drawings/NE-5Atr.gif) and a NE5B (http://crcaboose.railfan.net/drawings/NE-5Btr.gif). Stupid question #2 - which is the CGW car, A or B? (I've never seen a reference to an A or B in the NH world, so this is one for the experts... Bryan Bussey?)

Bonus question - did the NH build the CGW's cars, or someone else/the CGW?

Thanks for your qualified input.

[nickelplate759]

In the diagrams you linked to (hard to read) it says they were built by Pullman-Standard at Worcester, MA.

B&M had NE5 cabeese too

[wcfn100]

Well they were all built by Pullman Standard.  And the CGW cars were the last cabooses PS built.


edit: Does it matter what drawing matches? I'm not seeing any critical differences.



Jason

[sirenwerks]

edit: Does it matter what drawing matches? I'm not seeing any critical differences.

I couldn't find one either, so I thought I'd throw the question out to see if a trusted opinion leader or a bit of crowd sourcing could point out the difference and enlighten me. Honestly, I won't know whether it matters or not until I know the difference between the two, or if there is a visual one.

[bbussey]

I can't speak to certainty.  But I'm pretty sure all the cars (NH/B&M/CGW) are the same design.  Regarding the Atlas model, you could save time using the underframe, but the International body isn't really suitable to morph into a P-S body.

[Sokramiketes]

NH had a poop pipe, CGW didn't. 




I really should finish these.

[Tom L]

Well, here is one from the atlas version.  I trimmed the roof edges with Evergreen half round rod and thats about it.  I am not a CGW modeler, so I figured I could get away with it

Tom L.
Wellington CO

[sirenwerks]

I can't speak to certainty.  But I'm pretty sure all the cars (NH/B&M/CGW) are the same design.  Regarding the Atlas model, you could save time using the underframe, but the International body isn't really suitable to morph into a P-S body.

I was thinking the underframe and porches/steps, the roof with alteration, and possibly the cupola. The body sides, with the difference in panel treatment and window placement was definitely on the chopping block.

OK Mike, are those castings? Etchings?