I just couldn't resist this cool looking early side door caboose so I've decided to make one. Modeling early Frisco (I model the 1915-1925 era) requires some scratchbuilding. I'm trying to get the dimensions fairly close and I'm sure there will be a discrepancy here and there but I'm going to try to make a passable model. I'm using some leftover paper backing from an AMB caboose kit as a basic template for the body and window placement. Last night I made some progress on the walls, windows and door openings. I'm using styrene and wood so this will be a hybrid model. This may be a slow go project but I'll share any notable progress as I go along. I'm no master modeler so some techniques may be a bit janky. Here we go!
Looks similar to an HOn30 caboose kit I just built. Somehow the mind cannot wrap itself around that lack of end platforms.
There appears to be just enough of a platform surface to stand on to work the brake wheel. I don't think the front end has a door. At least mine won't have one.
Am I seeing curtains in the windows? If so, how was this car employed? Drovers caboose? Paying passengers? Crew bunk?
I've added the grab irons, temporary side doors and glued the four walls together and added interior bracing. Tomorrow I'll be replacing the doors if I can scratchbuild a more prototypical version. I've also started the roof tonight. Thanks for checking in.
Very nice project! Inspired me to finish my Burlington Northern caboose I have been working on for a long time. Just need to finish working on my RS-11 first... Are you sure about there being no door on the other end? From the photo it looks like there is a handrail the same as the other end (just below 3rd grab from the bottom).
I see that now. No, I'm not sure but now I'm second guessing. It's not too late for me to add one but dog gone it I hate to mess with it at this point. I figured the back door was to allow access to the brake but it wouldn't need one on the front. I'll try to find out before I get much further. Last night I built the roof and cupola and painted the base color.
Hey Jim, I see that handrail on the end Matthew is referring to. I dont know why, it maybe be I am not seeing this right. But, doesnt it look like the handrail on the end we can see, goes all the way across? Like if you open the door you run into the handrail, perhaps why no platform is there, and like you said before, is simply access to the handbrake on that end. The assumption could be, that given there is usually a handbrake on both ends of a caboose, then it stands to reason their could be a door on the end we cant see to access that brake. I dont know, but it could be. Also, Am I seeing a small multi pane window between the end windows on the cupola? Wonder why that was there? This is a great little project. The pipe going up beside the door is maybe to a retaining valve.
I'm also going to support the idea that the other end did indeed have a door. We can see that it has the same "handrail" mount and appears to have the same short deck/platform. Based on that, and the fact that it is a caboose, would stand to reason that the unseen side has the same thing going on as the side we can see. Go for it! -Mike
That settles it. I'll add the door tonight. Thanks for the brain storms. Tom, I never noticed that pipe running up alongside the door. Thanks for the catch. I guess the other end would look the same.
Hold on a minute Jim Dont cutter up just yet. I have my suspicions that this could have been made from a boxcar (1 handbrake) aside from the windows and cupola it looks more like a boxcar than a caboose, to me anyway. I just dont know when or even if the AAR mandated a handbrake on each end for cabooses, but every purpose built caboose I have seen has a brake on each end. Although there clearly is a appliance mounted on the other (A) end of the car it does not appear to stick out like the one we see (B) end, that I can see anyway. Great discussion and read. I just dont know, but it is quite a tease to try and figure out. One thing about it till someone produces drawings or a picture of the other end you wont be wrong huh? Please carry on.
I went and did it! So that's that. The discovery by Mathew of the hand rail mount and the encouragement from Mike helped me decide to add the door. It's posed with the roof and cupola just setting on it for the photo op. This is my very first scratchbuild rolling stock and I'm fairly pleased with it so far. Thanks to all of you for the help.