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Post by Charlie on Feb 6, 2021 21:09:15 GMT
Hey Everyone: Just started another Covid project that I started a few years ago then set aside. I needed (at least that is what I told myself) a Santa Fe caboose for a specific time period and the closest version to be found was one of the brass Division Point or Pecos River products. Which, by the way, also had some accuracy issues. So, I decided to start with a MTH Railking version (also not exactly accurate, but pretty close) as the donor caboose.  For the most part, the caboose has all the right features. Here is what I want end up with-  and here is where I am for Super Bowl weekend. I have actually did a little filling already.  Hopefully when it warms up a bit, i will be able to start painting. I will be adding the classic Santa Fe Wig-Wag as shown in the image above. There are a few concessions I will have to live with, but overall, I should end up with a Caboose for the few Santa Fe freights that get hauled around. Charlie |
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Post by trainsintheattic on Feb 6, 2021 21:50:47 GMT
I also modified the same caboose to represent a post-war era example with the wig-wag. So much of the overgrown plastic detail gets tossed leaving a perfect shell for detailing more exactly. I hope you get as much fun out of the project as I did.
Bruce
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Post by trainsintheattic on Feb 6, 2021 21:53:22 GMT
I also modified the same caboose to represent a post-war era example with the wig-wag. So much of the overgrown plastic detail gets tossed leaving a perfect shell for detailing more exactly. I hope you get as much fun out of the project as I did.
Bruce
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Post by ptc on Feb 6, 2021 22:10:00 GMT
Very interesting project. Charlie. Looks like the caboose stripped pretty well. Be fun to watch this project.
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Post by 4dogsinjersey on Feb 6, 2021 23:07:07 GMT
I always loved those Santa Fe cabooses. Thanks for posting your project!
Tom
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Post by Charlie on Feb 7, 2021 1:10:52 GMT
I also modified the same caboose to represent a post-war era example with the wig-wag. So much of the overgrown plastic detail gets tossed leaving a perfect shell for detailing more exactly. I hope you get as much fun out of the project as I did. Bruce Thanks Bruce: I'm not sure how far to take this. At first observation, the plastic "roof walks" are too thick, the grab iron are too thick, the eyelets are too large, the couple is too narrow, the tool box is a bit small and missing on one side. To me, the roof walk is the most visible error. Did you create a new one on your build or did you end up using the factory walks? Also, did you buy tool boxes or did you make your own? Since I have to make at least one, I might as well make two that are the correct size. Lastly, this was suppose to be a fun and quick project but it is starting to feel like a bedroom remodel where you just want to do a little paint touch-up only to find your self several months later with new paint, new carpet, and new furniture... LOL. Thanks Bruce, Id like to hear your feedback on this build. Charlie
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Post by trainsintheattic on Feb 7, 2021 4:03:29 GMT
Hey Charlie, I changed out the trucks and lowered the floor to start with. This required I body mount dummy couplers. All new steps and platforms made from styrene and etched brass support new ladders and railings. I believe I shaved the brake wheel pedestals a bit thinner. The side grabs were remade to better represent stock. The roof walks are totally from scratch, made out of wood and brass. The central markers sort of made corner mounted ones a moot point. LED lighting really needs to be fine tuned a bit dimmer. Wig wags and railings on the cupola were from scratch. I imagine a deeper boxcar red may be closer to true ATSF colors but I used this particular shade of primer brown. It now has permanent duty behind my Lionel scale F3 ABA's.  Bruce |
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Post by Charlie on Feb 7, 2021 4:51:32 GMT
Hey Charlie, I changed out the trucks and lowered the floor to start with. This required I body mount dummy couplers. All new steps and platforms made from styrene and etched brass support new ladders and railings. I believe I shaved the brake wheel pedestals a bit thinner. The side grabs were remade to better represent stock. The roof walks are totally from scratch, made out of wood and brass. The central markers sort of made corner mounted ones a moot point. LED lighting really needs to be fine tuned a bit dimmer. Wig wags and railings on the cupola were from scratch. I imagine a deeper boxcar red may be closer to true ATSF colors but I used this particular shade of primer brown. It now has permanent duty behind my Lionel scale F3 ABA's. Bruce Fantastic Bruce! That is exactly the scheme I was going to use as I thought most people went with the white grabs, but you proved me wrong. The roof walks really nice and as I stated before, are the most disappointing in terms of being to thick. I think your color looks fine. Going more red would not look as accurate to me. Lastly, I was not going to do anything to the steps, but I can see yours look much better so I might give that a try. Thanks for the ideas. I will keep you up to date on the progress. Charlie
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Post by laz57 on Feb 7, 2021 13:29:48 GMT
Nice projects GUYZ. Question? What is the big disc atop the caboose?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2021 13:33:19 GMT
This looks to be very interesting. Thank you for posting and good luck with your project.
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Post by trainsintheattic on Feb 7, 2021 15:49:10 GMT
Charlie,
It's obvious we both were and are shooting for the exact same goal. That's why I hope chiming in isn't perceived as an attempt to hijack the topic.
I also took one look at those catwalks and swore to get rid of them eventually. And so began the entire remake to produce something closer to scale.
George,
I don't yet understand the use of the wig wag warning device. I bet LaidOffSick has an accurate explanation since he once had then cast in brass and for sale. I made my own going from pictures.
Bruce
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Post by Charlie on Feb 7, 2021 18:45:20 GMT
Nice projects GUYZ. Question? What is the big disc atop the caboose? Hello Laz: the purpose of the big disk was to signal the engineer from the caboose. These were used in pre-radio days and as soon as a caboose was fitted with the radio, the signal disk (wig-wag) was removed. Here is a snip-it from the Santa Fe web site as written and copyright by Steve Sandifer:  If you're interested in this interesting type of signaling, you can visit the Santa Fe Historical society for more information. It is a great site and even more useful if you are a member. Charlie
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Post by Charlie on Feb 7, 2021 18:54:59 GMT
Charlie, It's obvious we both were and are shooting for the exact same goal. That's why I hope chiming in isn't perceived as an attempt to hijack the topic. I also took one look at those catwalks and swore to get rid of them eventually. And so began the entire remake to produce something closer to scale. George, I don't yet understand the use of the wig wag warning device. I bet LaidOffSick has an accurate explanation since he once had then cast in brass and for sale. I made my own going from pictures. Bruce Bruce, no offense taken other than thanks to you, you have shamed me into taking a simple upgrade and now I need to make it a big project... LOL. Seriously, even though I do not like the roof walk, I was going to leave it alone. Now, again thanks to you, I will see what I can do to fabricate a more realistic walkway. Other things I am working on will be adding screens to the bottom windows and maybe try to find a better smokestack. Lower the car, changing the steps and adding a scale coupler to one end is something I will look at. One point looking at yours. Reading the information about the wig-way, the research I'm finding shows the two small lights on the other side of the wig-way. Meaning, the lights should be facing the cupola. Not a big issue, but something I just discovered from reading the information on the wig-way. Bruce, I will probably ask you a few specific questions later in the build if that is ok with you. Thanks for the feedback. Charlie
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Post by laz57 on Feb 7, 2021 21:37:52 GMT
Thanks CHARLIE, very interesting. I did not know about the WIG WAG. Learnt something everyday.
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Post by Adam on Feb 7, 2021 21:39:35 GMT
Maybe a Wig Wag will work to get the attention of teenagers!
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