Large Scale Central

UP Caboose Build

Modeling
#1

I wanted a caboose that would fit my MDC cars better than the USA caboose I had picked up a few years back, it is of the wrong era. I found some old plans in a decal book and altered/changed them some to fit the size of the MDC cars, so I’m not sure of any scale, just going for the right ‘look’ to me. I used 1/8" plastic for the basic box. Frame/roof are some Delton pieces I got off ebay last year in a buy. LGB trucks in this shot, but I may just build my own.

I’m using my metal duct tape method on this also, since it is a metal caboose. Rivet counters have fun! I used a pounce wheel to emboss them from the back. Ballpoint pen from the front for the windows/door.

#2

Looks good Jerry No side windows?

#3

It looks like it will be a great caboose when finished Jerry. You usually manage to achieve something good.

You mention a very valid point about era. Many argue about which manufacturers items are the best but the question of era rarely gets a mention. I have a reasonable (for a small RR) amount of 1:29 stock and I mainly buy those items which fit within my perceived time scale. Naturally living over here I have managed to have one or two incongruities. lol

#4

Jerry,

That is a clever idea to use metal duct tape like that. I wonder how it would hold up as roofing on a building? Always looking for new methods.

#5

You’re off to a good start! Should look real good with that metal tape.

#6

I got all the foil on the caboose. I had a Aristo stock car that I had removed the body from to make it into a flatcar. I saw that the roof of it would work for the caboose, so I cut it off. Here you see the trial fit of that, needs a bit of adjustment yet. I will also use the roof walks/ladders/brake wheel.

(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/jerrybarnes/Caboose%20Build/UPcab3.JPG)

#7

Jerry, it’s looking great…

#8

Jerry Barnes said:
I got all the foil on the caboose. I had a Aristo stock car that I had removed the body from to make it into a flatcar. I saw that the roof of it would work for the caboose, so I cut it off. Here you see the trial fit of that, needs a bit of adjustment yet. I will also use the roof walks/ladders/brake wheel.

(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/jerrybarnes/Caboose%20Build/UPcab3.JPG)

Looks great, Jerry. How’s the tape hold up to handling? Ralph

#9

How are windows to be handled?

#10

I just plan to cut some ‘glass’ out of black vinyl and stick into the ‘frames’ I embossed.

#11

Grandkids left so I could get back to the caboose. Discovered the bolsters on the Delton frame were too close to the end for the kind of steps this has, so I cut them out and moved them 3/4". Got the porch on, will cover the plastic on it and the steps with some etched diamond plate K&S brass sheet.

(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/jerrybarnes/Caboose%20Build/UPcab4.JPG)

#12

The caboose I am modeling is over in the next town. Seems to have some high speed trucks on it for fast freights.

(http://www.mylargescale.com/1stclass/JerryBarnes/Caboose%20Build/caboose%20trucksScl.jpg)

I found some plans online and copied this out of them.

(http://www.mylargescale.com/1stclass/JerryBarnes/Caboose%20Build/UPcabooseTrkDrg.jpg)

I used 1/8" plastic for the back piece and 1/16" for the front. Using some other shapes out of plastic/brass. Still got a ways to go here.

(http://www.mylargescale.com/1stclass/JerryBarnes/Caboose%20Build/CbsTrkBlda.jpg)

#13

Finally got back to this after getting the radiator back in the Buick, it runs cool now!

(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/jerrybarnes/UPCabooseBld/UPcabooseTrks2.JPG)

I made the ‘springs’ by wrapping brass wire around my awl. Glued them in with super glue and shot them with a ‘kicker’ A few details are left to do, the plastic wheels are just for figuring things out. The connector is loosely based on the one I made for my live steam shay years ago, gee I’m getting old!

#14

Very nice, Jerry. I really like those trucks. Are you using brass tube for the bearings?

#15

Thanks Bruce. I have some small sleeve bearings, will drill the holes from the back just a bit larger for them. The front ones are just decoration, they fit into those plastic shapes.

#16

That’s a great caboose!

#17
Doug Arnold said:
That's a great caboose!
Is it done???
#18

Thanks Doug and No David, it is not finished. Took a break and repaired some of my Aristo Streamliner trucks, they had a design flaw on the first run and break at that narrow spot up near the head. I was told Aristo does not have any parts, got some in the past. I have repaired them in the past with a brass strip and glued with super glue gel then pinned. Could not find a couple of pieces, so cut it on that molded angle and made my own, a bit beefier, then glued a 1/16" backing piece. Did find a few pieces, so super glued them also and hit them with a kicker, that solidifies the excess and helps hold better-I hope!

(http://www.mylargescale.com/1stclass/JerryBarnes/UP%20Streamliner%20Set/AristoTrks.JPG)

Was done last nite, then noticed a couple that were still not broken, so will put the angle on them today and hope to be all done. BUt got a VA appointment, so maybe tomorrow. Caboose just needs the rails on the side/etc, then shoot it with paint. GOt some decal sheets designed, will get them printed off on laser decal paper-have had good luck with that, ink-jet always seemed to smear on me. I know some of you do okay with it though.

#19

Looking good Jerry. Later RJD

#20

I’m using an Epson WorkForce 600 and haven’t had any smearing. Could it be the printer or are you just toooo humid in Lexington?