GG1 4877 posted:I have the Model Railroader plans for this caboose in O scale out of a late 1930's issue that someone from this forum very kindly sent me. It shows the caboose in it's original configuration with tongue and groove wood siding, but it is a simple change to replace with plywood and batten sides. If I can remember where I have the drawings I can make a scan. It really doesn't appear to be that hard to scratch build. I'd be doing mine in two rail, but it would work in three rail also by just raising the floor a bit to clear the 3R flanges. I too would like one for my layout. I two railed this MTH NE Steel caboose and it is satisfactory to me. The trucks don't have the correct bearings and I had to move them outboard to match the prototype. The wooden caboose would be a real treasure to have though!
Nice job on the MTH CNJ steel caboose, Jonathan! I agree that the MTH model is a reasonable stand-in for the CNJ prototype...and I own several of them in different road #'s. The car body ends are more accurate on the Weaver version (no windows on either side of the door as was prototypical for the CNJ steel cabooses); however, the trade-off is the Weaver model is slightly less-detailed overall, with some items being cast-in (grab irons, for example) that are separately applied on the MTH version.
Here's one of the MTH versions that I customized a bit and weathered...
Back to the topic at hand...wood-sheathed CNJ cabooses, I would love to get a scanned copy of those plans you referred to above if you ever find them, and don't mind sharing them!
