Since there is no accurate ATSF CE-2 Cabooses available in N Scale, I have decided to kitbash one from a junk caboose I was going to throw away. After I got started I was glad I didn't pitch it, and this will be the start of a fleet of them, unless someone comes out with one. First was to blank out the windows. I did this with putty, and smoothed flat.
I also removed the end grabs. I will put wire there, and I cut the cupola windows out, and filled with styrene. I will add sliding windows later.
This cheap models shell also had top windows that went all the way to the roof, so I used styrene and filled in the bottom.
To get the rounded safety windows on the sides, I just used a toothpick stuck into the wet putty and formed. I will line these with black or silver, depending on what number I give it, and fill with window maker after painting.
This is all I have done so far. I think I am going to order another GMM set of roofwalks that have a wider end piece to put up next to the cupola. This looks to thin. More to come later!
Not sure if that is what you started with, but I've heard the old Life-Like caboose is pretty darn close to an ATSF hack. You've got to do the 999570. The thing practically lived in Richmond and spent time on Locals. It now resides on the Fillmore and Western. :tb-biggrin: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=60570&nseq=1
William, the CE-2's were rebuilt starting in 1969, and many lasted until the merger. Joe.....999570 it is!
Hi JD, I don't know if the walkways look too narrow but the pattern in the metal grids looks too wide spaced. I think there should be more lines closer together,(more metal compared to the openings) Did the Santa Fe ever remove their roofwalks near the end like the SP did? That would save some work!!....dave
I found a picture of the 999570 in my Santa Fe waycar book, and it is a CE-9. (Rounded windows on the cupola.) I will have to do her later, with a caboose that I don't have to use styrene on the windows. I will be able to putty and toothpick then.
Dave, I can't find a picture of any without roofwalks. I few variations in the patterns but all have them. The GMM roofwalks are spaced too wide, but thats all we have in N Scale right now. It should look OK once painted. These have 5 spaces, while the real CE cabooses had 12. My N Scale conductors will just have to make sure they don't put their foot through the holes. :tb-tongue:
I was kinda thinking that might be the case, cause the ones I saw always had them. It is kinda odd though as the railroads were trying to keep the crews off roofs by then....dave
Nice Job JD...I added new numbers and MTL end ladders to this one. I was hoping one of the brass etch masters would offer a caboose detail kit to modernize windows and have blank out plates, grab irons, etc.....
