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HI:

In a post several weeks back I shared some "in progress' photos of an SP&S caboose that I was building.  After a few set backs and waiting for some additional parts the build is complete.

The prototype for this caboose (Transfer Caboose actually) was 'kit-bashed" by the NP Shops from fish-belly 36' box-cars.  Kind of 1:1 scale model rail roaders run-amok if you will!!  Both the NP and the SP&S used these cars in transfer service.  I took some frequent modelers-license with some aspects of the build and I did not follow a specific car number prototype.  That said the finished product seems to capture the feel of the prototype reasonably well.

This build is a scratch effort using evergreen styrene sheets and shapes.  The Proto:48 trucks and scale couplers are from Protocraft and there are a number of additional items from Tichy, Archer (rivets), Grandt-Line and Precision Scale.  The interior is fully detailed with an Artista crew, bunks, table, water tank, head, stove and closets.  The brake components are 3D printed items from Shapeways.  These are well worth a try if you have not already used them.

A major set-back was the addition of interior lighting.  I am still working on that aspect.  The body-roof combination is a press-fit to the frame-undercarriage and holds in place with out of sight self-tap screws so the car can be dis-assembled when I get a workable lighting design finished.

Hope you enjoy.....

Regards

Bill

 

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Images (8)
  • Screen Shot 2020-08-12 at 3.11.59 PM
  • Screen Shot 2020-08-12 at 3.10.01 PM: The under frame showing the wood deck.
  • Screen Shot 2020-08-12 at 3.08.15 PM: Brake detail
  • Screen Shot 2020-08-12 at 3.07.37 PM: Proto:48 caboose trucks with operating journal box lids.
  • Screen Shot 2020-08-12 at 3.07.55 PM: Scratch built end rails and ladders.
  • Screen Shot 2020-08-12 at 3.08.42 PM: Wood roof walk
  • Screen Shot 2020-08-12 at 3.09.15 PM: A peak at a crew member
  • Screen Shot 2020-08-12 at 3.09.00 PM: The main logo is actually "S Scale....
Last edited by AZBill
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Nice job!  I like the roof walk. Real wood?  Show it again when you get the lighting in, so we can admire the interior

Thanks John.....the roof walk is .030 styrene that has been distressed with an Xacto saw blade to simulate the wood grain.....  primed with Tamiya light grey primer and then shot it with Tamiya Deck Tan paint and then dry brushed with dark flat brown, medium grey and some flat black.....

@bob2 posted:

Looks real!  My box car went to the appropriate artist.  Too bad you are not doing SP.

Thanks Bob.... with regard to SP.....  that is on my list.....  I have a Red Caboose GP9 that has been converted to Proto:48 truck set from Jay at Right O' Way....  Looking at a Black Widow scheme for that one....   also considering an SP wood caboose as well......

@Sarah posted:

Wonderful! What decoder are you using for the lighting?

Hi Sarah:

I had experimented with the Digikeijs DR80015 Function Decoder.  It is super small and has front / back / extra function capability.  It was a struggle from the start.  There was little in the way of instructions and apparently, you must have a load on the track when you program the decoder.  The few times I was able to set the CV's for my situation the LED / resistor pairs would not light.  I found some articles where some people actually used a locomotive as the load.  This of course alters the CV's in the locomotive used.  I also tried a had wired can motor as a load and that generated errors.  I think the need for a load (motor) on the programming track is a design flaw for this type of decoder.  But that is just me.  

I could rig a up one of the ultra small bridge rectifiers and some resistor / LED pairs and use track power but I am leery of the amount of heat that the rectifier may generate.  

Still looking for some other possible solutions.....

Regards

Bill

@AZBill posted:

Hi Sarah:

I had experimented with the Digikeijs DR80015 Function Decoder.  It is super small and has front / back / extra function capability.  It was a struggle from the start.  There was little in the way of instructions and apparently, you must have a load on the track when you program the decoder.  The few times I was able to set the CV's for my situation the LED / resistor pairs would not light.  I found some articles where some people actually used a locomotive as the load.  This of course alters the CV's in the locomotive used.  I also tried a had wired can motor as a load and that generated errors.  I think the need for a load (motor) on the programming track is a design flaw for this type of decoder.  But that is just me.  

I could rig a up one of the ultra small bridge rectifiers and some resistor / LED pairs and use track power but I am leery of the amount of heat that the rectifier may generate.  

Still looking for some other possible solutions.....

Regards

Bill

Dear Bill

thanks for the reply! I really don't think that programming a decoder should be that much of an effort – it eats away all the fun. The good thing about the Digikeijs chip is the price. This is just a suggestion and I don't speak of first hand experience but maybe you would like to check out the Sound Car decoder of Soundtraxx

https://soundtraxx.com/products/tsunami-soundcar

Manual

Function mapping on page 14

It's more expensive but for a caboose of that quality worth the investment. It would also add sound and lights and your last car creates a bit of a rumble when gliding along. I plan to use these in each train, also in the mid of the train because I love the brake noise coming not only from the locomotive. F11 applies brakes and they get louder the slower the train. You can activate the car by wiping a magnet on a stick over the roof (where you mounted the decoder) and it will start to release the hand brakes. So cool!

You see, I'm totally in love with that concept. My own first sound car, a stock car, is in paint shop now.

Regards

Sarah

@Sarah posted:

Dear Bill

thanks for the reply! I really don't think that programming a decoder should be that much of an effort – it eats away all the fun. The good thing about the Digikeijs chip is the price. This is just a suggestion and I don't speak of first hand experience but maybe you would like to check out the Sound Car decoder of Soundtraxx

https://soundtraxx.com/products/tsunami-soundcar

Manual

Function mapping on page 14

It's more expensive but for a caboose of that quality worth the investment. It would also add sound and lights and your last car creates a bit of a rumble when gliding along. I plan to use these in each train, also in the mid of the train because I love the brake noise coming not only from the locomotive. F11 applies brakes and they get louder the slower the train. You can activate the car by wiping a magnet on a stick over the roof (where you mounted the decoder) and it will start to release the hand brakes. So cool!

You see, I'm totally in love with that concept. My own first sound car, a stock car, is in paint shop now.

Regards

Sarah

Thanks Sarah....I will look into it .....   I tried the Digikeji decoder because of the size.  The space inside the caboose is limited at this point.  I can easily tuck a decoder into one of the closets and I developed a very simple LED light bar out of Evergreen channel.   Any way....I will look at the Soundtraxx unit.

Regards

Bill

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