I never thought about that. Sounds like a good option if I have trouble making wipers for these trucks. I'll make it work one way or another. Thanks again for the suggestions.
Jim What I have done in the past is used like intermountain wheels with both of the insulated wheels on one side of the truck, then drill the bolster just a small hole and put a piece of brass rod and it either bent little or with an interference fit then you can solder a wire to that for your truck power. But I could not agree with Ken more, this project deserves those KD trucks I think they would be the best looking trucks under this project that you can buy right now. I also note in Ken's photograph that there is indeed an additional door out of the other end of the car but no break staff or platform at all. Which could indicate that this was indeed built from a box car with a single break staff or it was built way before AAR standards demanded a break on each end of a caboose. BTW on cabooses with two handbrakes still apply all brakes they just use basically use twice as much break rigging to get the same job done as what it would take with one break wheel.
Thanks for the info, Tom. I'm sure I can figure something out for these trucks to pick up juice because you're right, they are just right. I've seen other photos with the front end door blocked by iron rods and no platform so tonight I removed the platform. I think it looks better and I'll add the cross bars over the door tomorrow. I added the couplers tonight.
Jim, I can/will rig up the power pickup for you if you are using plastic frame trucks (I have the Intermountain wheelsets). I use the Kadee coupler pocket springs with 00-90 screws to secure them to the bolsters, and have gotten pretty good at it. Send them to me and I will convert them and then send them back with your decoder order. Sure you don't want a Soundcar decoder for that caboose?
Actually I do want the Soundcar decoder. I guess I forgot to mention that. I might just take you up on the truck modifications. I want this caboose to be awesome and it's been a group effort so far. All you guys are the best.
Tonight I added the side steps and most of the roof walk. I also positioned a couple of windows to be open. So far so good.
So cool. Would you mind if I used one of these pics as a cover photo on my Facebook page? Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
Thanks guys! You're all too kind. There's no way I could've pulled this off without this forum's help. Craig, By all means feel free to use any photos I post for any reason. It's a compliment for sure.
I dreaded this part but I got it done. I added the platform railings and I had to get the bends just right. That's not one of my better skills but I got through it. I also added the retaining valve pipe that goes up beside the rear door, the brake wheel and roof walk end support brackets. I can't believe how many details I have left to add!
Jim, did you bend the roofwalk supports yourself? What materials/dimensions? I struggle with trying to find/make ones that look just right. Yours look exceptionally well done.
Thanks Chris. Honestly I simply cut narrow strips of thin styrene and bent one end. I then held it I place to get the length right.
Okay, I'm wrapping this project up and going to give you folks a break from old #777. I've added the cupola braces, front end grab irons, bathroom roof vent (I think that's what it is) and finished the roof walk. This is pretty much how it will look. I've ordered the correct large leaf spring arch bar trucks and a Sountraxx Soundcar decoder. After I finish the electronics I'll post a pic of it with the marker lamps lit and the correct trucks. I'll also add a little interior lamp all of which will be controlled individually with the decoder. Thank you for following along and for helping me.
Jim- Beautiful job on SLSF 777. A first class "crummy"! I look forward to seeing it up on those Kadee leaf sprung caboose trucks! FYI, I was flipping through some of the very early FMIG newsletters and came across a submission by Gale Hall in FMIG #3, August/September, 1976 (the good old days!). Gale sent in a two-page article from somewhere titled "Frisco Side Door Caboose", with a diagram of a cab (SLSF 348) very similar to what you have just created, with a scale drawing of a side view and end view - no door on the cupola end. Can't tell about the other end. There is also a pic of a similar car, SLSF 459, bult by Ohio Falls Car Company, in 1908 (later part of ACF) in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which does have a door much like yours on at least the cupola end. There is also an interesting list of specifications for the car. Tale a look ..... I believe all the FMIG newsletters are posted here on frisco.org. If any problems, I can try to get my issue out of the binder I have them stuffed in and I'll post a pic of the two pages. Caroline has me cleaning up my "railroad end" of our basement, and I just ran across this while flipping through the FMIG newsletters. Small world! Ken
Thanks for the heads up! I'll try and search for that article. These old cabeese are really starting to interest me. It takes a lot more work than just flipping through the pages of a Walthers catalogue!
Okay, I just read that article and it is very enlightening. One interesting thing is that one brake wheel is on the rear end and the second one is inside the cupola. I never heard of that but it makes perfect sense to me. The dimensions listed are spot on for what I modeled. That's reassuring. Thanks again for the lead on the article. Now I can't decide if I want to model #319 or #459!
Hey Jim, I That is one fine looking outfit. Looking at the photo Ken posted It looks like there are a bunch of brakemen and the conductor standing on that step maybe? Sure would have been something to be railroading back then. Sherrel, I finally used up all your trees you sent me!!
