Steps are built, platform is tack welded on, the full seam of the upper end platform will be welded and then ground smooth for a one piece appearance. What do you think of the diamond plate steel? I like the grating a bit better, probably just because it is original. I think the diamond plate will look pretty good after its all painted the same color. We will be rebuilding the ladders and end railings next, then were on to tackle the other platform. Fun stuff!
We have just about finished the platform on the A end, we are happy with the result. The steps and decking were fabricated from plate steel and diamond plate steel. The right side handrail was taken from caboose SLSF 1292, as was the coupler, and the safety chain. The coupler lift bar was made from round steel, we used one from caboose SLSF 1249 as the pattern. The left side handrail is original from the caboose and was badly bent so we straightened it and reused it. The ladder was badly damaged, so we made new ladder side styles from angle iron and drilled for the ladder rungs which are original and have been reused. Now we are moving on to the B end.
Interesting wheel stop. I would stick a chunk of wood under the wheel when I was on the ground But then again, nothing is like the feeling when it runs right over it and rolls off the end of the track! Does the handbrake work? Roger
The rail is welded on, this section of track is from Seneca, MO where caboose SLSF 1232 was on display. That is the way they kept it on track and we just left it there. The hand brake worked when caboose SLSF 1288 was at Ash Grove, MO, but the pins have not been reinstalled in the linkage.
We are on to the B end platform now. Hard to see the damage in the photographs, but both frame end sill horns are bent beyond repair, right side grab iron bent beyond repair, one set of stairs missing, the set that remains is bent badly, and the floor grating is broken and flimsy. Back at the shop we have already built new stairs and platforms, straightened the handrails, and built a new ladder. We are using a straight frame end sill horn from caboose SLSF 1292 on the right side, a new frame end sill horn will be made in place for the left side. In the images below we have started stripping the bad parts off so they can be replaced with the new.
Looks great, Paul. Do you have any plans to uncover the patch over the other window on the B end? Is the window still there from the inside, but just plated over on the outside?
Hi Ryan, The end windows like you mentioned are aluminum frame windows that bolt into place as one piece. Unfortunately the window is long gone. Caboose SLSF 1288 and caboose SLSF 1291 had a total of three end windows each, but one on each caboose was plated over and missing. So I only had a total of four between the two cabooses. I stole one from caboose SLSF 1288 to use on caboose SLSF 1291 after I removed the steel plate, which made me short two windows for SLSF 1288. I was able to get one window from caboose SLSF 1292, but only one was still there so I am still one short. I have no idea where to find another that matches the dimensions! I have found windows from other cabooses but the sizes do not match. I basically have two options. I can leave the window plated on caboose SLSF 1288 and have one original window on each end. Or I can uncover the window on caboose SLSF 1288 and use a standard laminated glass with a rubber gasket seal, like on the end windows of cabooses SLSF 1200-1274. Using a standard laminated window with rubber seal will require a modification on the interior, but nothing major. I like the idea of uncovering the plating over the window, but do not like the rubber gasket seal idea simply because of changing the look of the caboose. Since caboose SLSF 1288 will be restored to Mandarin orange and white, I may just leave the window plated since it would be period correct, but I will definitely uncover the plates on all the side body windows. So to answer your question, I do not know yet ! haha. I want to uncover the window, but I am not sure if I want to compromise and use the rubber gasket seal.
B end platform is coming together pretty well. Frame end sill horns are done, stairs are done, working on the deck plate now, then we will be putting on the handrails and ladders that we have already straightened.
Congrats to Paul. I subscribe to the Cowcatcher, great article. Nice stuff, great to see one of our folks in a published magazine.
The frame end sill horns, stairs, platform, ladder, and handrails are all done now. The left frame end sill horn was built from the same Chevrolet truck frame that we used to build two other frame horns, the right side frame end sill horn was taken from caboose SLSF 1292. Now it is time for the coupler, safety chain, and air pipe parts to be finished up. We have been lucky with some better than normal January weather in the last couple weeks. Next week we are moving back to caboose SLSF 1291 to repair all the damaged brake rigging mounting hardware.
We finished up the B end platform on caboose SLSF 1288, and have a working coupler installed. When caboose SLSF 1288 came to Tulsa, the couplers were just empty housings, all the working parts had been robbed. Lucky for us is that cabooses SLSF 1232 and SLSF 1249 came to us stocked with spare parts, so we found all the coupler parts we needed to make these complete. We also started removing the welded on steel window covers from caboose SLSF 1288. We cut an X pattern in the plate, then grind the welds about 70% deep and wiggle the panel back and fourth until it breaks off. Then we grind the welds smooth. Taking off the window covers really helps bring the cabooses back to life.
Removed another window cover plate today, two down, three to go. We plan on removing the others early next week, and then cold weather will be here again on Tuesday and work will slow to a crawl until late March or April. We have made a lot of progress on caboose SLSF 1288 in the last few weeks. I have enjoyed posting all of it here because it documents the work being done. It is a lot of fun sharing the information with you guys.
