Westport Terminal RR needs quite a few cabooses. There're already two International Bay Window Cabooses fromWalthers, Nos 78 and 83 one 4-Window Wood Caboose from Walthers, No 73, and one scratch build Track Cleaning Transfer Caboose and one Transfer Caboose from a Red Caboose flatcar and MOLOCO kit Now I wanted another type and bought from Rail Yard Models the MISSOURI PACIFIC SHORT BAY WINDOW CABOOSE kit. It's a urethane castings craftsman kit. Here's my How To: Following the instructions I run into a few problems. There're many parts, most are numbered. But in the intructions not all is named by this number. So I had to use my imagination. But I wrote also an email to Rail Yard Models and got help, another "Parts Map" which helps a lot. Very supportive! Bending grab irons. You have to measure the distance between the dimples and look for appropriate place at the provided jig. You can even solder with this jig. That's important for the end railings! The first and second end railings will go to the Diamond Valley scrap yard.
These are the grab irons for the car body and for the end sills You see here the end railings You see, bending and soldering with this jig is fun and easy. Wolfgang
I worked along the manual and glued the end railings to the end sills. Protruding wires were cut. Then I added the hand brake support and the splashguards. Nest step was the brake/whistle pipe.
Side Rails. Again, bending the side rails is not difficult using the jig. I reworked the bends with a pair of tongs. Again those jig comes to action with drilling the stanchions. Very clever! Differently from the instruction manual I glue side rails, fuel tank and toolbox before painting. With airbrush this will not be a big problem. The problem will be masking for my Westport Terminal paint scheme. Wolfgang
shortliner, good job with the caboose! How runs the tractor? Slowly?? Here're my next steps. Drilling the stanchions with the jig. With end railings finished I was busy with side rails. And I noticed one mistake. I've read the instructions wrong and used the Side Handrail Channel for the brake housing instead the Brake Stand Halfs. But there're three of the angle castings and I used these instead the - now missing - channel casting. My caboose is not MP, it's WT and so I don't worry! The smoke jack comes in two halves. This gives the chance to open it. Wolfgang
Hi Wolfgang - the caboose was built for me, since my hands are getting shaky occasionally, which is no good for painting - it is inherited, unfortunately!. The Trackmobiles run beautifully - I have two! One DC and one DCC, both superb for small switching jobs
That sounds good. I've heard others, not good running and pulling. But I will stay - for now - with my 25-ton. It has sound. :angel: Well, here're the next pictures from my caboose. The roof is not glued to the body. I will have to install the window glass after painting.
I am in awe, sir. Great thread and information! I would be afraid my painting skills would ruin a kit like that!
If you paint your caboose in a prototype style, there's only one color. This is with an airbrush no problem. But my caboose will be a WT caboose with red and white at the sides and yellow at the rear and end house and some silver at the roof. The roof is not glued, so I can paint it separate, but for the yellow, white and red I will have to do some masking. I will report with pictures. :angel: Wolfgang
A few more details. You see Walkway lamps. And the lamp on the end of the roof. I've also installed the Axle Generator. For this, I found the prototype picture in the instruction sheet very helpful! After painting and weathering these details will come out. Wolfgang
And here's a close up picture from the Axle Generator: Now I'm thinking about coupler cut levers. These are a bit unusual. I'm looking for prototype pictures. Wolfgang
Now, the caboose is ready for painting. The last details like coupler cut levers are added. The trucks have already got some layer of gray. Wolfgang
Some work with the airbrush, first a layer white, I use glossy colors. You need a glossy surface for the decals. Wolfgang
The caboose was painted glossy white. Now I've masked it and painted the door sites yellow. Next step will be removing the tape, more time to dry and again masking. Wolfgang
Great photo journal. Thanks for sharing! I have some parts to try and scratch one of these in N. I have considered buying this HO kit and reverse engineering parts from it.
