Large Scale Central

Easy MOW caboose

Modeling
#1

I bought the Bachmann “Lumberjack” set from Trainworld last week for 184 dollars ‘American’…CHEAP! It comes with the Davenport industrial engine [100 dollars if purchased separately], which is what I really wanted, but it also comes with two skeleton log cars [50 bucks a piece], and also the flat roofed bobber caboose [40 bucks]. If you bought all of these items seperately it would be over 184 dollars so I pulled the trigger and bought it. It also comes with a junk transformer and some crappy indoor curve track which I’ll probably pitch in the trash.
My brother had a spare Bachmann flat car he gave me and I dremeled in slots for the caboose top and ladder and it fit on the flatcar so easily I had to laugh and also share it with others who may want to build a MOW caboose easily. It took me about 15 minutes to mount the bobber car to the flatcar. I wanted to share it with others if they want to make a similar work caboose. I attach a photo and tomorrow I will build add a gondola section in front of the caboose.

FYIhttp://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/srw/work caboose.jpghttp://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/srw/work caboose.jpg

#2

#3

This is the first Mock Up before adding the gondola section and painting and weathering to make it all match but…you get the idea.

#4

Great!.
jJust the job for the Li’l Hauler caboose and a Bachmann flat I have…another winter project on the list!

#5

#6

There’s tons of options with Bachman bobbers

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1622271_1464859880409051_1344140507_n.jpg?oh=fc3e7ee882d203c919935eb531319da5&oe=5469796D&gda=1416602294_acad713c7955201cd419e6d7fc5ad77f)

#7

Scott, if you make it look too easy, then everyone will do it. :wink:

#8

Bashing up stuff is fun. Add some tool boxes or other RR stuff and you will have a nice custom piece when it is done.

Put the transformer and track on Ebay somebody who runs indoors will buy it. Don’t trash it.

#9

Bashing (within ones capabilities, of course) is great fun.

I have used, as donor, some of the few Aristo 20ft. cars I had and most receiving cars were 1:22.5 Bachmann stock.

I have no qualms kitbashing my Bachmann stock but do draw the line as mutilating my Aristo stock.

#10

Are you a Bachmann hater or an Aristo snob?

#11

Awesome stuff guys. I’m on the fence about painting the flat car a matching red. Most MOW cabooses I have seen are all in a weathered gray and I like that look and may go that route.

Probably use the transformer that came with the set for a test track and rollers or may give it to a friend who I’m pushing to get in to large scale trains.

#12

I also bash Bachmann, because its inexpensive, and hesitate to bash Aristro. But I do have a few pieces of Aristo in pieces.

I use 2 piece of Bachmann straight track to set up my KaDee coupler height gauge on my workbench. That way I have an easy to set up way to check the couplers on my cars before they enter service.

#13

I hesitate to kit bash or weather my more expensive items as well.

This set only comes with curves which would be so boring if you actually used it. I have several straight sections of Bachmann indoor track that I use for display and will now use them for test track with the transformer I guess.

#14

WOW! Must be the summer heat! Quite a few seem to have bad hairdo days in this place lately.

I go along with David: Bachmann 1:22.5 is inexpensive - even here in the UK.

I started out with 1:22.5 - as many do in the UK with a D&RGW slant. But changed my buying style to Aristo as it was something that ran on the eastern side of the Great Plains and fitted into my era and location. It was reasonably priced and moreover was readily available in the UK, whereas most other 1:29 models were not.

Currently I am undecided whether to sell my surplus Aristo stock or repaint them into another road name. Selling would reduce the overcrowded storage space but re-painting might be a nice winter project.

I do have some Bachmann 1:22.5, now fitted with plastic wheels, as static outdoor models. These are a couple of gonds and a flat car.

#15

scott said:

I bought the Bachmann “Lumberjack” set from Trainworld last week for 184 dollars ‘American’…CHEAP! It comes with the Davenport industrial engine [100 dollars if purchased separately], which is what I really wanted, but it also comes with two skeleton log cars [50 bucks a piece], and also the flat roofed bobber caboose [40 bucks]. If you bought all of these items seperately it would be over 184 dollars so I pulled the trigger and bought it. It also comes with a junk transformer and some crappy indoor curve track which I’ll probably pitch in the trash.
My brother had a spare Bachmann flat car he gave me and I dremeled in slots for the caboose top and ladder and it fit on the flatcar so easily I had to laugh and also share it with others who may want to build a MOW caboose easily. It took me about 15 minutes to mount the bobber can to the flatcar. I wanted to share it with others if they want to make a similar work caboose. I attach a photo and tomorrow I will build add a gondola section in front of the caboose.

FYIhttp://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/srw/work caboose.jpghttp://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/srw/work caboose.jpg

Hey Scott. I’ll take that powerpack off your hands if you decide not to keep it, PM me, Vic

#16

I decided to go with a warm grey color and gave it a India Ink/ alcohol wash. Probably going to leave it at that and now will build wooden gondola sides for the front of the car.

#17

I have also given the cheap ass plastic logs that Bachmann supplies with the skeleton log cars a painting of light wood on the ends and rubbed the heavy pine bark of the plastic logs with “burnt umber”. looks Sooo much more realistic and once I spray the logs with flat clear paint should be quite realistic for the log loads. I will glue them in to a load with clear caulk and glue on believeable log chains.
I also painted the connecting rod of the Davenport a similar aluminum color to the counterweights on the wheels. I will gunk those up with “oily black” wash.

I like the little Lumberjack set and even though I have many engines and many narrow gauge logging engines if I only could afford to buy the Lumberjack set to participate in Large Scale trains I think with proper weathering, for 184 dollars,it’s hard to beat for an entry in to garden railroading.

#18

Scott,

Great job. I like the color. Now it’s time to muck it up with some details like boxes, tools, and other such stuff to make it look like a real workhorse.

Doc Watson

#19

I’m on it Doc. I ripped down sideboards today for the gondola section and painted them the same color as the rest of the car. I plan to add a chest up front near the brake wheel and assorted ‘junk’, etc., inside the gondola section.

Looking forward to bringing it by your place for a shakedown cruise.

s

#20

I have found time in amongst work and other projects to add more detail to my easy, peasey, MOW Caboose. I include a photo of all the details i have added to it in the last week or two.