After thinking about it for quite a while, I've finally got the caboose project started for the N&F RR. It is based on the class that Frisco built from 1941-'46, #41-#99. I plan on numbering it #56 after the real one that is located south of Northview. I've been drawing up plans based on a car diagram book from the late, great Frisco Railroad Museum and pictures of #56. As with all my projects, this isn't intended to be a museum quality model, just a decent representation for use on the N&F. Of course, it is 12" gauge, 2-1/2" = 1' scale. The first step was rebuilding my old Bettendorf trucks that used to be under flatcar #5121. I originally made the patterns and cast the Bettendorf sideframes when I was in High School. I rebuilt them with old whiffenpoof wheels (from 1941 & 1945!), and new homemade axles, bolsters and spring planks. Springs are small block Chevy valve springs - I know that the prototype had leaf springs, but after researching the price of leaf spring stock and taking into account the difficulty of fabricating the springs, I just went with the tried and true coil springs. The frame is partially built, I still need to fabricate and weld on the end sills. The steps will be the next item; they have a distinctive profile when viewed from the end that needs to be accurate to reproduce the appearance of the real thing. Anyway, here are pictures of the prototype and the model's progress so far... I'll update the thread as I get more done. Hopefully the finished caboose will capture the look and charactor of the original!
Looking good. Scratchbuilding is my favorite part of our hobby. I guess when you model the Frisco it's almost inevitable that some scratching will happen.
I too am very interested in the plans. I am planning to do the same in 1-1/2 scale, 7.5 inch gauge. Cannot wait to see the progress, James.
James, you're off to a good start. Are you considering building the interior detail. I think it would be neat to make it so you could take the roof off to show off the detail if you do. You can refer to the pictures I took in one of #56's sisters (now 1145) in Des Peres, Mo. http://www.frisco.org/vb/showthread.php?4185-Caboose-SLSF-1145&p=28962#post28962
Thanks for the comments guys! Keith, I'm not planning on accurate interior detail at this time... it is always a balancing act to build a reasonable model, yet make it usable on the railroad. To that end, my plan is to make the long roof removable with a full size seat inside for a "Conductor". The area under the cupola and short roof will be open for the usual items needed when operating on the N&F; links, wheel chocks, bug spray, cooler, etc. Kent and Sherrel, I really never thought about posting the plans - I'm still stuck firmly in the old days, making my crude drawings on graph paper with a pencil and scale. It never occurred to me that somebody else might look at them, so they are pretty rough! Also, the marked dimensions are all actual measurements for my scale, so they would need to be corrected with the actual measurements. Having said all of that, once the process is over I will try to get the plans presentable and post them here. On a project like this, I tend to do make my drawings as I need them, so I still don't have the side elevation done... I have a frame detail drawing (useful only for 2.5" scale) and the end drawing pretty much finished. It will probably take a month just to build all of the handrails!
If you can get me the sketches, I can draw them out in 3D, SketchUp. I can draw it in your scale and then they can be adjusted to what ever anyone needs with a few key strokes. I am not really good with SketchUp yet, but a caboose would be a good learning experience. Kent in KC
Kent, I'll be happy to send them to you when I get the side drawing done. It would be great if you could create some nice plans for everyone to use. It may be a week (or two, or three...) but I'll eventually get it to you!
Some progress on the caboose... I finished welding up the frame and got it painted. Although I had originally thought about making the end sills out of steel, I decided to make them out of oak since the prototype's are wood. Siding is a compromise - I'm just using 3/8" beadboard, so the "boards" are over twice as big as scale. However, it will give the illusion of the proper siding without all the work of sawing out and applying the individual boards. Window and door openings are rough sawn in place, and I am working on the interior framing. It's a little homely right now, but this is #56 thus far:
In a fit of wrecklessness, I had told a friend who is building a 4100 in 1-1/2"=1' scale that he ought to have a Frisco caboose to go with it. He suggested I could probably build it if he did the frame and trucks. What a revolting development this is. I can stall for quite a while tho because he doesn't have the boiler mounted on the frame yet or started on the tender.
Don, misery loves company... so I'm really looking forward to seeing the 1.5" scale project! Are you thinking of this same class of caboose? Or are you still trying to figure out how to gracefully get out of the build? If possible, insist that the steps are part of the frame, that way you won't have to make these little gems: I made this drawing thinking that I would cut these out of steel and weld in the steps, but I may change my mind and make them out of wood, just because I think it will be easier... not sure yet. I may even cheat and have them laser cut out of steel. Anyway, I'm putting these off until later on my project. Right now, I'm still trying to get the interior framing of the body finished, then I will start on exterior trim for the windows and doors.
Since last time, I have finished the framing for the carbody sides, cut out and installed the panelling, cut out the subfloor and installed it with a laminate hardwood flooring, cut out and nailed on the exterior window and door trim, finished the interior door trim, and started on window interior trim. I also cut out a step side out of 16 gauge steel and made a step out of wood to see which way I preferred to build them. I think I will probably build the steps out of wood. I still need to finish the window trim... there are 12 pieces of trim for each window, so it takes a while to cut them out and nail them on. Attached are two pictures; one of the "B" end of the caboose - you can see the exterior trim, a glimpse of the interior panelling (don't worry, the pink hue will be covered by paint) and the step clamped in position. The other picture is a close-up of the wood step. Not sure if I can get this thing done by the Convention or not, but I'm gonna try!
Yeah, I remember saying over 25 years ago "I wish someone would restore on the the 1500s". See where that got me.
Looking good James. DON'T put a set of trucks that are larger than 7.5" gauge in my possession. My wife would kill me if I started in a larger scale. Darren
This week I managed to get the windows done and started working on the framing for the roof. I also painted the interior with a light gray paint, and painted the exterior with my normal barn red paint. Painting an unfinished project might seem like I'm getting the cart before the horse, but certain places on this caboose will be difficult to paint when it is completely done, yet still visible if left unpainted. It's just easier to start painting now, and I'll keep painting stuff as the project progresses. I will try to make some headway on the roof and cupola next. Here are a few pictures of the project so far; in a couple of them I included an HO scale Frisco caboose so you can get an idea of the size of this thing.
Not a whole lot of progress the last couple of weeks - my work schedule changes every so often, so I've been working the graveyard shift lately. Needless to say, when I'm sleep deprived and groggy, it's best that I stay away from the table saw! However, I have got a little bit done. I started building the cupola, although it is a long ways from finished. I don't have the frames cut out for the side windows yet, and when they are done I will have a lot of priming, sanding and filling to make the wood cupola look like steel. I also started cutting out and installing the roof panels. It isn't shown in the pictures, but I built the frame for the removeable portion of the roof. I plan on painting the roof panels with flat black paint and covering it with canvas or muslin to simulate the "Mulehide" roofing. This technique uses the paint as an adhesive; after the paint is applied to the wood surface, the fabric is laid over it and painted so it is stuck to the panels. Needless to say, the caboose won't be done in time for the Frisco Convention, but it's best not to rush these projects. Speaking of the convention, attendees will have the option of visiting the N&F on Sunday (the 18th), so come by and take a ride! Hopefully the weather will cooperate; I plan on firing up #205 for the day - I may even have an unfinished caboose on the railroad...
