Large Scale Central

Caboose cut levers in Fn3?

Modeling
#1

Afternoom, Guys - just got some air hoses and glad-paws from my good friend Richard Smith down in beautiful Port Orford, fitted them up - after cutting and bending a little - and found that the cut levers I have are intended for a regular car with a high coupler beam, rather than the narrow thing found on the verandah of a NG caboose.

So far I’ve failed dismally to find the correct type of lever that suits a caboose - any ideas? FYI, it’s the same as that found on the long D&RGW caboose, which I DO have, but the parts are not listed in AccuCraft’s spares list, and the Hartford site seems to be permanently stuck in a time warp these days…

Any help/ pointers to a supplier would be much appreciated.

Best to all

tac

#2

Calling Bruce, your brass cut levers are needed in aisle 3.

#3

Not much of a supplier here… I made something similar for my steel boxcars. I used some 1/32" x 1/8" brass strips to make these.

(http://www.jbrr.com/assets/images/IMG_1648.JPG)

First, I use some pliers to bend the curve in them, then use the Dremel to cut the shape. I used some extra long bolts and nuts from Accucraft to fasten them in place. There’s a small piece of plastic to hold it away from the frame. I think they compare favorably to the original ones I got from Hartford…back when they were in business.

(http://www.jbrr.com/assets/images/Caboose11.jpg)

They’re certainly a LOT cheaper.

#4

Bruce Chandler said:
Not much of a supplier here… I made something similar for my steel boxcars. I used some 1/32" x 1/8" brass strips to make these.

(http://www.jbrr.com/assets/images/IMG_1648.JPG)

First, I use some pliers to bend the curve in them, then use the Dremel to cut the shape. I used some extra long bolts and nuts from Accucraft to fasten them in place. There’s a small piece of plastic to hold it away from the frame. I think they compare favorably to the original ones I got from Hartford…back when they were in business.

(http://www.jbrr.com/assets/images/Caboose11.jpg)

They’re certainly a LOT cheaper.

Grateful thanks, Mr Chandler - your post has given me the impetus to copy the AccuCraft cut lever I already have. mrs tac has given me permission to delve into our combined savings to purchase a small piece of brass, if we can find one under $10k or so over here… BTW, I am VERY interested to get more detailed view of the air-brake test sign up by the door - can you oblige me, please? Best graders tac www.ovgrs.org

#5

tac, Oh crap. That caboose is outside in this building, and we’re getting ice on top of the snow.

(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Structures/MathesonTextiles/P1020894.JPG)

Can you wait for some sunshine? :wink: Of course, then I have to remember to do it…

#6

I did find the original picture of it, though. It’s blown up a bit here.

(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/RollingStock/Caboose/DSC02768.JPG)

Gadzooks. This is why I shouldn’t take close-ups. I think it needed some more decal set. But, I normally see it about like this, so it’s not all that bad.

(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Layout/2008/IMG_5332.JPG)

#7

By the way, I think I could get you TWO of those pieces of brass for only $9K…

#8

David Bailey in England makes exactly accurate Caboose cut levers in 1;20.3. The best on the market, even better than the Hartford ones , which were slightly short for some reason. I hand carried a bunch back from England many years ago, but they are all gone now…

jonathan/EMW

#9
jonathan bliese said:
...but they are all gone now...

jonathan/EMW


That’s funny, Jonathon, that’s exactly what he said to me… :frowning:

tac

#10

Bruce Chandler said:
I did find the original picture of it, though. It’s blown up a bit here.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/thejoat/RollingStock/Caboose/DSC02768.JPG)

Gadzooks. This is why I shouldn’t take close-ups. I think it needed some more decal set. But, I normally see it about like this, so it’s not all that bad.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/thejoat/LayoutShots/2008/IMG_5332.JPG)

Thank you, Sir! It’s a decal, you say? Where from, might I be so bold as to enquire? Besp tac www.ovgrs.org

#11

tac,
That caboose is a Hartford kit. It came with a sheet of decals, and that was one of them.

#12
Bruce Chandler said:
tac, That caboose is a Hartford kit. It came with a sheet of decals, and that was one of them.
Ah. MY shorty van like yours was a Sheridan kit I got from that nice Mr Bliese last year. Send me a pm with your e-mail on it and I'll post ya back some pics.

If you want.

Besp

tac

#13

Tac,
What size brass do you need?
width and thickness.

#14
John Bouck said:
Tac, What size brass do you need? width and thickness.
Thanks a lot for the offer, John, I was only kiddin' ya. We can actually get anything we like here in UK, but now that Mr Bailey has stopped making Fn3-associated stuff we have to go to the US to get it ready-made bits and doo-dads like cut levers, and Hartford seemed to have disappeared off the radar somehow, never seeming to have recovered from that bout of illhood the boss hada whileback.

I’m going to hafta make a concerted and determined effort to get over to the bunch at Rogue River next time we are down that way and spend a bunch of hard-earned $$$$ on bits.

Best

tac

#15

Sure is weird that Hartford just disappeared. I wonder if we will ever know the real story.

#16
Terry A de C Foley said:
John Bouck said:
Tac, What size brass do you need? width and thickness.
Thanks a lot for the offer, John, I was only kiddin' ya. We can actually get anything we like here in UK, but now that Mr Bailey has stopped making Fn3-associated stuff we have to go to the US to get it ready-made bits and doo-dads like cut levers, and Hartford seemed to have disappeared off the radar somehow, never seeming to have recovered from that bout of illhood the boss hada whileback.

I’m going to hafta make a concerted and determined effort to get over to the bunch at Rogue River next time we are down that way and spend a bunch of hard-earned $$$$ on bits.

Best

tac


Oh dang. I guess there goes my shot at $9K :wink:

#17

I was going to slip some pieces in a magazine and send them over…:slight_smile: :slight_smile:

#18

David Bailey just sent me this…

‘Terry, how many sets are you after? if its 10 or more it might be worth me running the mould again, but the prices on the website may change.
Best Regards - David’

Anyone need a set to make up the other nine, please let me know…

Best to all

tac

#19
John Bouck said:
I was going to slip some pieces in a magazine and send them over......:) :)
John, as ever, you are very kind to a disabled old poverty-stricken orphan stuck over here.

Best wishes

tac