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. 1288 and 1291 had a total of 3 end windows each, but 1 on each caboose was plated over and missing, so I only had a total of 4. I stole one from 1288 to use on 1291 after I removed the steel plate, which made me short 2 windows for 1288. I was able to get one window from 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 1288 and have one original window on each end, or I can unplate the window on 1288 and use a standard laminated glass with a rubber seal, like on the end windows on 1200-74. Using a standard laminated window with rubber will require a modification on the interior, but nothing major. . I like the idea of unplating the window, but do not like the rubber seal idea simply because of changing the look of the caboose. Since 1288 will be restored orange and white, I may just leave the window plated since it would be period correct, but I will definitely unplate all the side body windows. So to answer your question, I don't know yet ! haha. I want to unplate the window, but I'm not sure if I want to compromise and use the rubber seal.
B end platform is coming together pretty well. Frame 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.
I subscriber to Cowcatcher, great article, congrats to Paul. Nice stuff, great to see one of our Guy's in a published magazine.
the frame horns , stairs, platform, ladder, and handrails are all done now. The left frame horn was built from the same Chevy truck frame that we used to build 2 other frame horns, right side frame horn was taken from caboose 1292. Now its time for the coupler, safety chain, and air pipe parts to be finished up. Next week we are moving back to 1291 to repair all the damaged brake mounting hardware. We have been lucky with some better than normal January weather in the last couple weeks.
We finished up the B platform on 1288, and have a working coupler installed. When 1288 came to Tulsa, the couplers were just empty housings, all the working parts had been robbed. Lucky for us is that cabooses 1232 and 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 1288, we cut an X pattern in the plate, then grind the welds about 70% deep and wiggle the panel back and fourth til 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 plate cover today, 2 down 3 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 1288 in the last few weeks and I have enjoyed posting all of it here because it documents the work being done, and it is a lot of fun sharing the information with you guys.
1288 in Ash Grove in the summer of 2013, and lower image is from Jan 30 2015. Opened the windows for the first time in 30 years or so !
So today I started sanding some paint from 1288 in hopes of revealing some of the old stencils and logos. I sanded the layers and have found out that 1288 wore 3 different paint jobs, first she was freight car red, second she was caboose red (that was a big surprise) and last she was orange and white. I sanded and revealed all the different layers, did that in more than one spot to confirm. I pulled out the most recent "ship it on the Frisco" logo that was applied in the second paint job, and it has the letter "c" in Frisco in the block style font which is consistent to repaints at the Frisco paint shops. I always assumed 1288 was freight car red, and then orange and white, had no idea it was ever "caboose red" will post some pics later when the sun is in the right spot.
It is fun sanding down the paint and revealing the logos. Top pic you can see the coonskin and part of the "ship it" logo. bottom image shows from center to exterior the different colors of paint applied over the years
In the last photo above, the center shows the paint that was applied at the factory, it was PPG "carhide hot spray" and was an epoxy paint in freight car red color that was sprayed on hot and eliminated the use of primer, next is the caboose red paint, then you can see a small layer of gray primer, then the white and orange, last layer is the red paint applied at Ash Grove. neat I checked the layers on the body sides, cupola sides, and on one platform end and they all showed the caboose red color. I would love to see a pic of 1288 from when she was painted caboose red.
I get so much out of your updates, Paul. Being able to scroll through the thread and see the progress helps convey the amount of time and effort you put into this endeavor. Anyone interested in Frisco, cabooses or railway preservation in general can appreciate what you are doing. Your photos and descriptions go a long way in helping us understand not only what's involved but the quality of work you are doing. You should be very proud of the work you're doing. It's a big job for a group let alone an individual. When you get a free hand, give yourself a pat on the back!
I haven't said much .. mostly just standing around with my mouth open. Sometimes an ooo-ahhh noise is uttered. Outstanding work .. enjoy watching the progress!
Today was the last work day on the cabooses until spring. Had a little fun and decided to sand away the red paint that 1288 received at Ash Grove, to see what we could find hiding underneath. I love it.
Say Paul if you blast away in the very upper left hand corner on either side there is a repaint date. If you see it could you let me know what it was? Some that paint hasn't see daylight since 1980, amazing it is still in good condition! Roger
Hi Roger, found it. there are 3 small lines of data, first line in one inch letters is "SA" second line in one inch letters "SF - 8 - 79" 3rd line in half inch letters is "JAN" I have a pic of her right out of the paint shop and you can see the lines of data but they are not readable, but they line up with the ones in the image below
