Trainworx D&RGW caboose review

[Erik W]

When I opened up a recent N Scale Railroading issue and saw that Trainworx was making an etched brass kit for D&RGW’s welded side cabooses, I couldn't have been happier.  The Rio Grande’s 01470 - 01490 series welded side cabooses were manufactured by the D&RGW and have a unique modern look about them.  My 1955 -1956 era layout can definitely use a few. 

The kit uses the Atlas caboose as a starting point.  Essentially you sand the details off the Atlas caboose and laminate the brass sides onto the body.  The end rails are filed off the Atlas under frame and the etched rails added.  The details on this kit, while small, are easy to work with.  I was particularly impressed with the grab irons in this kit.  They are well thought out with the bend lines relief etched into them.  Because of this, the grabs all bend exactly where they are supposed to then.  I can't say enough about how well this kit is engineered.  Pat at Trainworx has done a superb job.  The caboose was a joy to build, which is good since it's the first of several I’ll be constructing.  I used Atlas friction bearing caboose trucks with Fox Valley metal wheelsets and Z scale couplers.  The paint scheme my caboose wears is the all black scheme it was delivered in when new in 1955.  This was an easy decal job since it was before the D&RGW put end numbers on the cupola or the diagonal striping along the bottom of the sides. If any of you have a need for a D&RGW caboose running through on your home road, I would highly recommend you pick up one of these.   

Pat at Trainworx is very easy to work with as far as ordering.  His URL is http://www.wic.net/~trainworx/order.html.  Pats having some server problems with his website currently but the D&RGW page should be up soon.  Shoot him an email if you want to place an order at trainworx@wic.net or I think some of the N scale Etailers should have some of these in stock. 

Enjoy the photos.

[central.vermont]

WOW!!!!!!!! Very nice Eric!!!
You did a great job with this kit and the weathering
is superb!

Jon

[tom mann]

Very nice.  I may give that kit a shot.

[central.vermont]

Very nice.  I may give that kit a shot.

Think you otta give to Eric though to weather it!!!! ;D ;D ;D

Jon

[amato1969]

Excellent job, Eric!  Road-specific cabooses really enhance the theme of a layout.  Your kit turned out great.

[Walkercolt]

Really nice job of building what was a much needed kit. We could use more kits like this; take an exsisting car and add detail sides and details to it. Maybe they could make a bay window caboose kit based on a Model Power bay window caboose.

[Erik W]

Very nice.  I may give that kit a shot.

Tom,

I encourage you to build one of these.  With your modeling skills and attention to detail as far as weathering goes, I'm sure the results would be impressive.

You have a bunch of paint schemes to choose from.  Mine was the original black scheme.  Some time later these had additional safety striping applied and cupola end numbers added.  There was also an all black scheme with two horizontal yellow side stripes on radio equipped cabooses.  In 1956 came the Aspen Gold and silver 4 stripe scheme, to match the road diesels of the time.  Then in 1959 came the simplified Aspen Gold and silver single stripe scheme, essentially the same as the 4 stripe but with a more economical single black stripe.  In 1972 the most recognized scheme, to the modern railfan/modeler, was introduced, the all orange Action Road scheme.  Marlin C. built one in this scheme seen here:

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showphoto.php/photo/19846/ppuser/3480
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showphoto.php/photo/19847/ppuser/3480
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showphoto.php/photo/19848/ppuser/3480

In the early '80s the Rio Grande started plating over the side windows.  These cabooses looked interesting since some of the workmanship was so well done that you couldn't tell they ever had windows.  I've always liked the looks of those.

Erik

[Erik W]

The Trainworx caboose page is up again.  Just scroll down until you see the caboose kit pricing.  They also sell the undec Atlas cabooses and decals.

http://www.wic.net/~trainworx/riogrande.htm

Erik