Hey all. I'm working on a new kitbash project - this time its a L&N bay window caboose (as built by their South Louisville Shops). Since there are no 'close' models in N I'm starting with a Model Power bay window caboose as a base. Will have to shorten it and make modifications to the ends as well as the bay window. Would anyone happen to know where I could find scale drawings of these cabooses so I can get the length right? Thanks! Chad
Chad, you would likely be a bit closer to start with using the Concor baywindow caboose, with a couple Walthers angled baywindows kitbashed to gain the proper height. The Concor cab is a little higher than most and the same was true of these L&N cabs...
Head to the L & N Historical Society's website: http://www.lnrr.org/ They got all kinds of images and maybe you can find the measurements also. The website also has a link the the L & N YAHOO! group. Have checked TRAINBOARD'S FALLEN FLAGS forum for any information? I took a quick look at the L & N website and they have images of all kinds of L & N cabooses.
That is not a transfer caboose... it is a short bodied baywindow road caboose. Transfer cabs were nothing more than a shelter on top of a flatcar, to protect the rear end crew while handling a cut of cars between roads. IIRC they were built by International... similar cabs built for MoPac and UP, five L&N cabs transferred to the Clinchfield. The South Louisville shop's caboose looks like this...
That's the car Jerry. I've already cut into a Model Power caboose so I'm going to try it using it. If it doesn't work out I may go with the Con-Cor version. The style of the bay window and the shorter length are the main points I'm trying to capture. Chad
Chad, I have the book "L&N Cabooses" by Dwight Jones at home. I'll check when I get there and see if it has any dimensions listed. A few years back I purchased a kitbashed caboose on the E-auction site that was made by using the underframe/trucks from a Kato cupola caboose. I'm not sure what model was used for the body, or if the dimension match up exactly to the L&N "shorty" cabooses, but as far as capturing the general "feel" of the short bay window cabooses it works very well. Using the Kato underframe may be a good starting point at least. Mike C.
Ok, according to Dwight's book the short cabooses measure 32'-7" over the end sills. Here's what the one I have looks like using the Kato Cupola underframe. I haven't done anything with it since I acquired it, but I think the paint needs to be a darker shade of red, and of course the decals added. While it may not be spot on for length it certainly captures the overall effect of the L&N "shorties". :teeth: Mike
I will try to post some in-process pics later. I really think the Model Power caboose will work nicely once shortened. A simple modification to the bay window gives it more of that L&N look too. I'll get some pics before and after making the cuts to shorten it. Thanks for the length info!
"Looks like a real good length." I hadn't really thought about the Kato cab in a while but the length looks great. What is more, the cab is a little higher than most other models and could be a good starting point for doing the St. Louie cab because of this. The only issue would be fixing the roof where the cupola is.
I agree Jerry. The cupola design is one of the main spotting features in my opinion. The top of cupola is very distinctive on the South Louisville caboose and fortunately its not a tough modification to make. I'm assuming you're referring to modeling a TRRA or a A&S shorty caboose using the Kato model?
Using two Kato cupola cabs, should provide enough roof parts to patch the roof where the cupola is. From there work on the sides can be done to add a baywindow (recommend the angled Walthers baywindow since it is similar in size but it may require two to raise its height to the proper size to match the Kato caboose). Walthers baywindows may be able to be found asking around on the forums... the undecorated cabs came with all three types used, the angled, the flat top and the short, someone may have a few in a parts bin... Build a business car from the new Micro-Trains Line® Plan 3959 observation car? Click here to learn more.
Well I've got the caboose sections pieced back together, gaps filled/sanded and primered. Was hoping to get some pics however we've had some horrid weather and I typically shoot outside. Maybe will be able to get some shots this afternoon. The overall length came right out at 32' which is close to the dimensions of the prototype. Now I have to fabricate the end railings along with the distinctive L&N reversible 'target' indicator on the end platforms.
Nice conversion! Too bad Kato never went ahead with the original version of the "Shorty" caboose ...... the transfer caboose without cupola.... and the bay window version which would have looked exactly like your model. While the car was based on the Belt Railway of Chicago prototype transfer caboose, the cupola version was also legit (Indiana-Ohio coal hauling shortline that has flown out of my head at the moment) and the bay window version is, as shown, very close to the L&N (and B&M, LI) cars as well. I suspect that Kato has the other versions tooled but not released; they were scared off by the relatively poor sales of the cupola version. Maybe if enough people ask for the other cars they might make them some day.... Charlie Vlk
Still needs trucks and final cleanup/detailing... but here are some progress shots of the South Louisville L&N caboose.
Chad, Very cool! So, to recap..you used a stock model power caboose and simply shortened the body, roof, and underframe? You mentioned "a simple modification to the bay window gives it more of that L&N look". What exactly did you do to modify the bay? And finally, did you manage to get any "in-progress" shots during construction? I'll be needing several of these to round out my caboose roster. :teeth: Mike
