Norfolk & Western Steam Era Runners, WHAT

I use the brass Weaver model, that came out several years ago. 

But these are harder to find than hen's teeth.

Ron

Then I would have Brother Love, over on the 2-Rail SCALE Forum build you the exact N&W steam era caboose you desire.

I would do that, especially since recently bought one of his four-window Southern cabs, but he recently stated in a thread that he is going to "retire" from cab building.

Ron

Ask him anyway.

Yes, Virginia, there is a market for a proper steam era N&W caboose at a fair price!

May I suggest that you go over and view his latest posts on the 2-Rail SCALE Forum, as he just completed a batch of SP steam era, and B&O cabooses. He also is just starting on some B&M cabooses.

Hot Water, I pay close attention to Malcolm's posts.

Malcolm's pronouncement of Cab building retirement

Ron

I have one Weaver cab and have seriously considered buying this. KOHS I would like to see 3rd Rail offer matching Cabooses with their brass N&W steamers.

"Reasonably priced" and "N&W Caboose" don't fit into the same sentence at this time....

Gilly

Gilly, I intend to contact Scott but am waiting to see IF I get a reply from a rep from one of the biggies.

Ron

Jim it appears that maybe there really isn't a market.  There has only been three individuals that have actually some way replied here about the issue as broached.

As I replied to Gilly's comments that I have contacted a rep with one of the biggies about this.  Ironically when I was replying to Gilly this rep replied to my email.  They see things some what as I perceive them based on lack of responses here.

I was told they will look into the cabin car issue but are also curious about the lack of another N&W steam era product.  I will quote in part "but if the N&W crowd is not all that concerned about prototypicality, then no sense in tooling a unique XXX, or cabin car for that matter."  So there appears to be a projected perception that N&W "guys" only care about prototypical engines and the heck with the rest of the train. 

And that seems to fit here with lack of comments.  So these companies do listen to what they hear and DON"T hear.

Ron

This is but one thread about N&W steam era cabs. There have been others across the boards (the subject seems to pop up at least once a year in the entire time that I have been on the forum) and many have wanted a correct N&W steam era cab, despite what your secret chimp may say. And, I haven't seen Weaver "blowing out" brass N&W cabs (which by the way were at the lower end of stratospheric prices).

How about a model the common man can afford? I have no doubt that Scott could do a very nice one in brass. I would have asked him a long time ago to do one, but, again how much would they cost? What is needed is a model that anyone can purchase off the shelf, so to speak.

Ron,

Just to follow up on this, there is plenty of information available to do a correct N&W steam era cab (be it wood or steel). And, said model can be done to any level of detail or price point the manufacturer or market would like.

However, unlike some manufacturers, the proper homework needs to be done first and that includes asking for help and/or a second opinion.

Other than my recent purchase of a Williams brass J and a Weaver 5-car passenger car set, I have only 2 other N&W pieces (flat car and boxcar), so I'd say I don't "collect" N&W.

With that said, I'd still love to see a CORRECT N&W steam era caboose and would buy one if the price is reasonable.

From what I've read on this forum, there's been many instances where the big makers have been approached about making a correct this or that, only to ignore the requests and continuing on with the easy way out.

Instead of waiting for modelers to mount a campaign with enough "signatures" to make something new, they ought to be pushing the envelope themselves.

Better yet, maybe it's time to place a moratorium on making engines (another RS3/GP9/GG1) and concentrate on what the engines pull.  Would it hurt so bad if they skipped a year (or 2) making engines and offered new rolling stock?

Well, Ron, I have 3 Weaver N & W cabooses and would like a few more! 

They are hard to find. I have seen several on ebay, but they go quickly and high dollar. Even the **** blue ones go quick and high! So that lead me to believe that there must be "need" out here for the correct or semi correct caboose. Oh, even the brass N & W's go quick and usually start high. I wish Weaver would make another run of N & W cabs. 

Oh, I know, Weaver is the lesser light in the train collecting world, but they do make some good items none the less. 

Allegheny Models has several of the Kohs N&W cabs listed for sale on their website.

Well, at $695 a pop how many people are going to spring for a cab? And, a 2R cab at that!

Hey Big Jim, Lighten up ,it was just an FYI. I was on their site looking for decals and saw them. Hey, Their Champ decals are $15-40 a pop too.

 

 

Originally Posted by Big Jim:

Originally Posted by Brother_Love:

Allegheny Models has several of the Kohs N&W cabs listed for sale on their website.

Well, at $695 a pop how many people are going to spring for a cab? And, a 2R cab at that!

 

Perhaps there is an opportunity for one last caboose building fling, Malcolm.

Jeff C

Ahem.

At the risk of committing heresy on the toy train forum, how about building an N&W caboose? Quality Craft  made a nice kit and one shows up on  eBay from time to time.

Some years ago Joe Giannovario (RIP) wrote an article in O Scale Trains (you can download for free if you go to the effort of looking it up) on scratch building one in styrene using parts from the QC kit.

If you consider a scratch built cab, because you have to have one, and it needs to be prototype specific, then Malcolm is the go to guy.... if he hasn't "retired" yet.

I asked him about the SP cabs because after getting my AC12, and having an AC9 already, I "had to have" a cab specific to their era. Well, I took delivery of my SP Cab 2 days ago and couldn't be happier. It's fantastic! You seen the pictures he posted in the 2R Forum, and the pictures just don't do it ENOUGH justice. Malclom is "THE MAN" if you want a custom caboose. It don't hurt to ask.

Hey Big Jim, Lighten up ,it was just an FYI.

Yeah, Brother, I knew that.

Even if you can find a Weaver at the original $250, it is much more than most people would pay. especially if you want a fleet of them.

Peace Out!

We, us o scalers are going to have to build, modify or come up with the cash for brass if we are to get prototype cabooses. You think you N&W fans have a problem, you should model the GM&O. There is nothing out there even close to prototype. I started building cabooses to build my own fleet. It was the only way I would get prototype cabs.

BTW, I am convinced that anyone can build their own caboose. If I can do it, you can too. You will mess up a few, I did (I have a couple of 5 gallon buckets full of seconds). Get some styrene, glue, straightedge and a razor blade and go for it. Look up Joe's (OST) article for the N&W plans and go for it. Decals can be done a letter at a time with the Microscale 90001 set.

Warning!!!!! you could get hooked on scratchbuilding!!!!!!!! I assume no responsibility!!!!!!!

Malcolm

How true about the being hooked. On my third cab (CB&Q) second was messed up pretty bad so I had to start over. Now I can add Freight cars to the addiction. Just finished modifying two intermountain cars from 2R to 3R( Wasn't as easy as I thought it would be), My Pecos River Brass 50ft DD box car kit arrived today, Currently have bids on Inter mountain kits and Atlas kits, Dive in the water is great. If I can do it anybody can. One way or another I will get the cars I want.(CB&Q)

Doug

Hey Big Jim, Lighten up ,it was just an FYI. I was on their site looking for decals and saw them. Hey, Their Champ decals are $15-40 a pop too.

 

 

Originally Posted by Big Jim:

Originally Posted by Brother_Love:

Allegheny Models has several of the Kohs N&W cabs listed for sale on their website.

Well, at $695 a pop how many people are going to spring for a cab? And, a 2R cab at that!

 

They also have this kit

I only post to this because someone wrote that the perception is that N&W fans don't care about prototypical rolling stock or cabs.

I have some of the Kohs and Divison Point N&W cabooses, CF, CG, CH and C2's. I don't mind paying less if a better alternative is available.

With all of the N&W engines out there, it seems odd that there are very few appropriate cabooses available in the mainstream.

I am glad to see at least that the discussion has actually progressed.

I have tried for one of Weaver's CF on the bay but came up short without going into detail.  I would purchase one but am somewhat disappointed in them.  I fellow local O-gauger bought some in 05 when originally offered.  There is something about modeling wood in brass that falls short.  I think the paint ends up filling in the groves.  But I would still buy one now, right now!

As said earlier the individual I have discussed this with recognizes that there is a couple of steam era N&W items not made.  But they are reluctant "... before we make a determination of tooling dollar investments."  Because as of right now they see/feel question "... if N&W crowd is not all that concerned about prototypicality... ."  Guys send emails to all the companies letting them know.

Sometime in next couple of weeks I am going to contact three others plus a request to Weaver.  But think I can understand Weaver's maybe reluctance since it took three to five years for them to sell off their original production.

Someone sent me a picture of a CF they did.  Not sure if based on a Dureya underframe or a NON-Duryea underframe (1' 4" diff in length). It was really, really,really nice but had four discrepancies.  The smokejack was in wrong corner, The lettering to big, lettering not aligned correctly, and number was wrong (was numbered for a C2).  Oh and the grab rails are a little out for a CF but good for CG, CH & C2.

I am thinking on modifying a Lionel cab that is kind of close.  Or maybe I will just use a black center flow tank car that I added a FRED to.

Ron

Ron, you are right, it is always good to get the discussion going.

On the topic of N&W, I am very pleased to see Lionel making PS1 boxcars for N&W which may be under the radar for N&W fans. They are correct for the B8 from the early 50s.

There are alternatives, if you dare.

I wanted a Seaboard Air Line class 5CC caboose, ain't NOBODY gonna make that.  Fellow forumite "Flanger" did an "article" on the forum about taking a MTH CA-1 caboose and modifying it into a SAL class 5CC (thanks again Bob!).

Best I can recall, it require new ends (no windows on the SAL cab), don't recall what else had to be modified but it turned out to be a very close rendition.  Here's the one I built:

I had to put different trucks on it and add the window awnings, possibly relocate the smoke stack.

So, if a good model can't be found, there's always the cut&hack method.  Of course interiors, paint, and most of all decals are probably more of a hurdle than modifying an existing piece.

I have a pdf file of a short article from Mainline Modeler that has a nice set of plans for a CF cab if anyone is interested.

Jim, Which issue is it?  I have all of them, but not much in the way of an index to find what I'm looking for.

Bob,

Sent you a couple of emails.

For others who may have the M/M issues, check out Nov. & Oct. of 1997.