Large Scale Central

D&RGW caboose 0503

Modeling Rolling stock
#1

My new Bachmann long caboose didn’t stay new for very long… I’ve been using the photo on p. 117 of Rio Grande Narrow Gauge In Color for inspiration. I dig the fact that Rio Grande used T&G siding, but face nailed it to the sides of the caboose, causing nice neat rows of discoloring, bleeding nail heads. [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/old_iron/7052054011/]

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#2

Geoff,

looks very nice. did you relocate the marker lamps? memory serves that they came from the factory on the other end and were lower.

#3

Very nice work Geoff.

#4

WOW, that looks great.

#5

Looks Great Geoff!! What techniques did you use?

#6

My kind of car!
Dusty, dirty, rusty…:slight_smile: :slight_smile:

#7

Very nice Geoff. I like the rusting nails too :slight_smile:

#8

Just beautiful - but you need to get a shot of it outside! Maybe on Roger’s layout?

#9
Bruce Chandler said:
Just beautiful - but you need to get a shot of it outside! Maybe on Roger's layout?
At the very least, behind a train.....................nice!
#10

Nice work! Were the nail heads there or did you put them in?
Why are the end windows boarded up? Just curious. I’ve seen cars with the window boarded by the stove before. Just curious as to the reason the D&RGW boarded these up?

Terry

#11

Excellent job! That’s just beautiful.

#12

Thanks guys.

Here is a quick synopsis of the work:

  • tar paper roof covering

  • new smoke jack (brass tube, sheet, bar)

  • new wood roof walk

  • handrails, grabs, etc. painted silver. (I believe the D&RGW used aluminized paint)

  • Accucraft couplers (mounted at 26” c/l)

  • Sierra Valley wheels

  • O503 was unusual as in the late 40’s the conductor had the end window sashes removed and boarded over. The awning above those windows was removed at that time. So that was a must do

  • The marker lamps were removed, holes plugged and relocated to the long roof end of the caboose (seems that the D&RGW ran cupola forward as the norm) Once again, 0503 was unusual as the lamp brackets were mounted high on the letter board.

  • Weathering is mixed media and based on the 1958 photo mentioned above. Airbrushed thinner base Floquil colors to establish the base fading. A blend of H2O mixable oil color, designers gouache, Rustall, weathering powders & pencils to bring out the details.

In retrospect, I wish I had sanded the siding to remove most of the over done (out of scale) molded in graining, but at the time I did not want to replace lettering. After the fade job was complete I drilled the nail holes, which hold a dot of dark paint that can be wetted and dragged downward to establish the bleeding effect.

I am looking forward the spring stock rush at Rog’s where I hope to get a few photo ops.

#13

Amazing!

Looks just like the real thing. The only thing left for a perfect car is to change the side (and green) marker lenses to amber.

#14
Matt said:
Amazing!

Looks just like the real thing. The only thing left for a perfect car is to change the side (and green) marker lenses to amber.


Thanks Matt, I do agree about the amber marker lenses… info on D&RGW Rule 19 wasn’t hard to find.

[i]From D&RGW rulebook - 11/10/47, rule 19

  • Day indication of of markers = lamps not lit or yellow flag
  • Night indication = lamps lighted, showing red to the rear and yellow to the front and sides
  • Night indication when stopped in clear of main track = yellow to the front, side and rear. The markers may not be turned before the train is entirely clear of main track [/i]

I think I’ll make the change, however the photo I mentioned as reference truly looks like red to side & rear ( I was guessing on the front).

#15

Sweet! Extremely well done!

#16

Awsome work as always. I love the way you weather and paint things.

#17

Geoff, That is sweet…beautifully done!