Large Scale Central

Southern Pacific narrow gauge caboose project

Modeling
#1

Underway is a very seldomly modelled S.P. narrow gauge caboose. LGB did a poor representation back in 2006 with its drover’s caboose repaint. I purchased two B’mann 8-wheel caboose kits (less trucks) from Al Kramer, with the intention of making this caboose. Within the restrictions imposed by the original kit, the result is reasonably close to the prototype (based on a single photograph only). I have Googled images and searched S.P. sites but am not able to find further information on this unusual caboose.

The basic structure (sides, roof and chassis) are now completed). I need to fit the side cargo doors and the deep letterboards down each side. I rearranged the basic interior to fill out the forward section of the car. The side doors will be fixed, so I am not fussed about a detailed cargo end of the car. Further detailing will include the unusual walkway boarding that surrounds the cupola. A problem will be the unrealistic end railings and ladder supplied in this kit. I have previously manufactured metal railings for another project based on the 8-wheel caboose, but the ladder has always been an issue.

Further info on this car would be welcome.

#2

Either of these Tim?

http://urbaneagle.com/slim/caboose.html

#3

Or maybe one of these? (I think maybe the cupola was removed later on in life?)

http://www.girr.org/girr/relics/spng/spng.html

And maybe something in here (but some digging to find it I’m guessing!)

http://www.sphts.org/pmcclosky/spwebresources.html

#4

Based on my three Slim Princess books, (Going from memory–I can re-look if needed), the SP NG didn’t have any caboose that look like normal cabooses.
They used a squared off combine, like the links above show.
I, too have been thinking about kit-bashing something up to go with the up-coming Accucraft loco.

#5

For what it is worth. I have done engines #18 and #22 plus tank car #350 and combines #12 and #401 (with passenger car roof).

#6
James Kuhhns said:
For what it is worth. I have done engines #18 and #22 plus tank car #350 and combines #12 and #401 (with passenger car roof).
Hi James,

Nice to see you here. How are the pooches?
Now where are the pics of all those? We really like pics here!

-Brian

#7

Do we have any poctures!

Paul

#8

We need pictures. I am woundering if this is anything like what the South Pacific Coast ran as cabooses

#9

Thankyou for the assistance. I was going to await the side cargo door fitment before posting photographs, however, maybe the photographs of the basic model may jog someone’s memory of the prototype. My single prototype photo will not upload. Cargo door to be fitted aft of cupola, basically where the pencil lines are drawn on the car body side. Letterboards extend down to the top edge of the side window surrounds. Window spacing is compromised due the spacing on the B’mann model.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/lscspc.JPG)

#10

Josh,
SP #401 is a car I would like to model, in its early clerestory roof days (pre-1950’s). Rooftop walkways make for an interesting model. The clerestory roof was removed in the 1950’s, resulting in the roofline we see today.

#11

Letterboard and side door fitted. Prototype had four panels in the side door.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/lscspd.JPG)

#12

Progress to date. End railings, I will use a Lionel part and adapt to fit.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/lscspaa.JPG)

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/lscspab.JPG)

#13

Ready for the paint pot. Grabrails to fit post painting. Model based on one obscure grainy photograph of prototype. Lionel end rails fitted.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/lscspj.JPG)

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/lscspk.JPG)

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/lscspl.JPG)

#14

Brian

Toby and Maggie are going great. I plan on taking them with me to the SPNG convention around Bishop (Laws to Keeler with a day at Belleville) at the end of April and the first part of May. As for pictures I am a little low getting pictures posted on the net but give it a shot. I will have some of my models at the convention.

James

#15

Tim,

That is indeed quite a handsome caboose. Very finely rendered as well. Looking forward to seeing it all painted and lettered. Will it be SP or lettered for your own road?

Incidentally I’m working currently on a rendition of the Laws depot. Not an exact copy but hopefully still recognizable with the essentials and modified for the POC.

#16

Richard,
the car will be lettered for my own roadname. There are several differences to the original prototype that the B’mann 8-wheel centre cupola caboose does not exactly match the prototype. The cuploa is identical with its sloped sides, but the S.P. version is several inches narrower, giving the brakeman a little extra walkway clearance down the side of the cupola. The window spacing is too close on the model and I used a standard B’mann 3 panel combine door (slightly cut down in size), rather than fabricate a four panel door.

#17

Is that Southern Pacific (NG) or is that Pacific Coast Railway? I saw a movie on here not long ago that had one very like that in it.

http://www.pacificcoastrailway.com/

#18

Matthew,

His prototype I believe is from the SP’s ng Keeler branch in the desert. The Pacific Coast Ry., South Pacific Coast and North Pacific Coast were all separate narrow gauge railroads that operated at various points along the California coast. The caboose you’re thinking of is at the Sacramento Railroad Museum and was a once proposed model by Bachmann that unfortunately never came to fruition. It is a beautiful caboose and it’s a shame the model was never produced.

You’re right though the model does resemble greatly the Pacific Coast Rys caboose. Since the Pacific Coast also became part of SP it’s possible that’s the caboose’s prototype.

#19

Matthew,
Richard is correct. I found the caboose by accident while researching gallows turntables. The particular photograph that I have must be copyright protected, as I am unable to post for reference. It shows the caboose followed by about four S.P. boxcars and several gondolas as they cross a gallows turntable. The marking on the side of the caboose is very feint, but could be S.P. 403?

#20

Back when I started this project, there was discussion as to whether this car was standard or narrow gauge and the actual shape of the prototype. Well, while searching through my pictures folder, I came across a pdf. download from P.B.L. in which the prototype is featured. The car was a narrow gauge Southern Pacific caboose/combine S.P. 467. Considering the kit parts that I started with, the car is quite close to the prototype. I have yet to progress the model beyond the photographs included in the postings.