I wanted a transfer/logging caboose for my Fn3 Shay/disconnect consist but none are commercially available. I bought an Accucraft brass one but it was far too small (See “For Sale”). When a green AMS ‘short caboose’ came up on ebay for a fair price I grabbed it. It had been modified and chopped for use with live-steam and had seen better days. It had a nice coating of steam-oil and a few broken railings. It also had Aristo marker lights and no interior lighting provisions. This one is mine, I neglected to take a picture of the ebay find “as received”, but it was green when I got it…
So I took it apart, cleaned, sanded, cut, pasted, soldered and wired. Made a new roof and cat-walk. Added some now functional Bachmann 1:20.3 ‘Long Caboose’ lanterns. AFTER…
Note I still need to paint the pneumatic lines (green). I have custom dry transfers on order for my own personal railroad, I hope they get here soon! The caboose NEEDS lettering! I know it’s the same caboose but it looks a lot different to me!
Next I plan on using the left over cupola to bash an AMS D&RGW Jackson Sharpe car into a Drovers Caboose. FYI…Taking apart one of these AMS cabooses was more of a pain than I expected. It is nearly impossible to remove the roof without breaking the “pegs” that hold it in place. I broke two of the four removing it. I also ruined the queen posts removing the plastic turn-buckles and truss-rods. Fortunately Ozark makes nice 1:20.3 versions of both posts and turn-buckles.
Ralph