Freight Car Photos (model and prototype)

[tct855]

Hi all,
           Haven't seem much added interest lately to this thread so I thought I'd share a rare wood kit project rebuild I started for Bagman and he'll finish for a team effort.  Lots of custom parts added along with heavily modified kit parts for a special one off model.  Thanx Thom...

[postalkarl]

Hi Thom:

Very nicely done. My favorite RR to. I modeled the NYC when I had a RR.

Karl

[ACL1504]

Thom,

Beautiful job on the  caboose. Love the interior as well.

Tom

[RWL]

Thom,

A question, where did you find the reference information for your creation? Nice work on the interior.

Bob

[tct855]

RWL,
          Thank you for the compliment!  The model is a rebuild of a rare laser cut wood kit or a rare caboose rebuild from the NYC System rr. of the low clearance plywood sided caboose rebuild program.  I simply started tracking down pictures and written info from articles, books & internet on plywood sided cabooses, mainly on the NYC.

          Then digging a little deeper I searched the internet and a couple books I have for pictures of caboose interiors.  So, setting aside the interior for a moment.  I followed the overall prototypes for the basic exterior (i.e. the kit mostly) and history of how, why, how long and why not for the series cabooses.   Now for the modeling license.

          Since I try to do custom work, working towards a one off or stand out or hopefully interesting not mundane model that attracts the viewer to beg a question to start a modeling conversation, and to hopefully peek a renewed interest to the owner. (That's my goal anyway)!

          So keeping in mind this project was started by the customer, I repaired what was needed, I added my take with hopes of the customer to follow up with his final interior detailing designs for a team effort. (hopefully without him throwing it in the trash). ha.

          I decided to turn to my modeling license and keeping the overall history of how they did things back then, and why they did what they did (costs).  So I copied some pictures of interior walls of some cabooses and (knowing that in multiple railroad equipment consolidations and salvage vs costs of new replacement parts (furniture etc.)  Which in turn allowed for many different interior designs.

          I didn't really think to much of interior anything when modeling because mostly one can't see inside right.  I thought all cabooses looked the same inside.  Wrong! like locomotives and other rollingstock. Railroads custom tailored cabooses for their road, caboose type, style, order, series or even territory location preference and in some cases, the local crew even had a say in some of the needed equipment (benches, bunks, chairs, desks, tables, heating, air flow, and even decor. (i.e. posters, calendars, girly pics and even era advertising).

          So now you know my train of thoughts.  That's why I decided to treat this project as one would, if building a fine wood structure kit (because that's what this-not so cheap-kit is).  So along with weathering each side a bit different (a maintained side and a harsher environment over time side).  I made the roof removable, so as to show some different interesting possibilities a modeler might add when building their structure for their particular layout.

           Some of the other details to look for added, to make things other than usual, are a conductor (making his rounds), a brakeman (reading the paper- I mean working hard at spotting hot box smoke etc.), a trainman (with his tools for changing out an broken knuckle or air hose), open cabin doors to help with ventilation, posters/etc. on the walls, modeled windows open with screens, closed window with a broken glass (which did happen for various reasons), fold a way work stations (desk/table),and still leaving room for the customer to add cabinets, bunks, stove, etc. for a personal modeling touch (and hopefully cast to add a little extra weight), maybe to even enter in a local modeling contest once completed for bragging rights. This is not your daddy's $3.00 plastic caboose. One thing to note: the lantern markers are removable and interchange to the other end of the car for operation also.  Railroads didn't spend much cost/time turning cabooses like steam locomotives...

           My goal was to simply come up with an out-of-the norm model to capture some interests rather than-jafo- just another freaking observation car. ha. hopefully I achieved that. Well, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!  Thanx Thom...

[bagman]

Thanks for the post Thom and your very detailed approach to the work done on my caboose.

Some background. The basis for the kit is from American Model Builders. Their kit has scribed sides but the New York Central System Historical Society had a special run made to represent a plywood side caboose.
I'm a member so purchased a couple.
The kit goes together relatively easily but care must be taken. You know what they say, "slow and steady wins the race".

I should adhere to that saying one day !

Thom has generously fixed up a lot of my errors and I am literally paying for my mistakes !
But that's ok because I'm ending up with a model that far exceeds my expectations when I sent it over to him.

Good man you Mr T !!

Here are some photos of the finished kit before I sent over to Thom.

Regards

David

[bagman]

Not sure if this link will work but check out the article by Seth Lakin.


I pretty much followed that article to build my caboose.


https://nycshs.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/nycentralmodeler_2015_1q.pdf


Regards
David

[RWL]

David,




I thought your caboose was an AMB model, it looked familiar, it is still being offered, but the society offering dried up as you said a few years ago. I bought the Central Hobby Supply version of the 19000 back in the 80s, I still have two that remain unfinished. I too am a NYCHS member, have been for 30 some years, your rendition of the AMB model looks very good, nice paint and lettering.


I remember the thread created by Tom Langford working on one of your engines, a G 46 I believe, the engine and caboose must look appropriate together. On another note the layout looks great also, the Ball Signal looks right at home at that junction.




Bob

[bagman]

David,




I thought your caboose was an AMB model, it looked familiar, it is still being offered, but the society offering dried up as you said a few years ago. I bought the Central Hobby Supply version of the 19000 back in the 80s, I still have two that remain unfinished. I too am a NYCHS member, have been for 30 some years, your rendition of the AMB model looks very good, nice paint and lettering.


I remember the thread created by Tom Langford working on one of your engines, a G 46 I believe, the engine and caboose must look appropriate together. On another note the layout looks great also, the Ball Signal looks right at home at that junction.




Bob

Hi Bob


Thank you so much for your very kind words.


I'm looking forward to receiving the improved version of my caboose from Thom. He really is a master when it comes to detailing and weathering anything railroad related.


Speaking of which, Tom Langford did an outstanding re-work on my G-46. Brass steam loco's are very finicky to work with so Tom must have the patience of a Saint ! He really did an excellent re-build as it runs very smoothly. You have a very good memory !


I've found being a member of the NYCHS very beneficial even though I'm on the other side of the world. Lots of research available to those modelling the NYCS.


I'll post some more pictures once the caboose makes its way back Down Under. I'lol make sure the G-46 is included.


Regards
David

[RWL]

David,




The society has really improved in the last five years, both in management and technology. I appreciate the effort that goes into the e-magazine they have brought out and the content, it certainly is a boon to the NYC modeler.




I remember Tom's work on your engine, he and I conversed on it a couple of times, the G 46 is a very accurate model of the consolidation. You are correct Tom does do a fine job of tweaking those engines to running perfection.




One thing I don't understand about the caboose. Why would you want the exterior of the caboose (from the pictures you posted), nice paint, lettered correctly, representative of a well maintained piece of equipment, turned into a maintenance neglected, mis-lettered derelict piece of rolling stock? I am just curious to your reasoning, not being critical, just curious.




None the less, I will be looking forward to the pictures of both caboose and engine together on your layout in the future.
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[/size]Bob

[RWL]

I have no idea what is going on with paragraph spacing.


The last line was to read; None the less, I look forward to seeing both the caboose and engine together on your layout.


Bob

[bagman]

Hi Bob


Not quite sure what you mean by mis-lettered.


Sure the car number is different to that which appears on the layout photos, but I believe Thom had to do that due to issues of decal bubbles after I sent it to him.


As to the weathering I wanted the caboose to look like it has seen better days and was due for a refurb at the terminal shops.


Not dissimilar to this photo of # 19008.


Appreciate your comments and interest though.

[tct855]

Hi all-bob,
          Bagman is right.  To better answer your question, this is how I Thom (me) who does varied type-varied different work (custom) on any brass, cast, plastic, wood or scale (trains) developed into Thom'sCustomTrains came into being.

          If one researches the web for someone to complete modeling work for them.  One will find quickly that to find a complete any scale, any type, any era, any model, any medium to be able to perform any electrical work needed, any painting needed, any repair work whether or not soldering, gluing or parts build or added, well they are very few and far between. Honestly.

          If one really looks at some of the 4,000 pictures I've posted on my website and study all as a whole.  One might notice that every piece is different for different reasons.  If one is really attentive one might ask how did Thom actually acheive some of the work listed.

          I simply let each model describe how it wants to be.  Many times I set out to do a model a certain way, but ending up having something different.  One might ask why?  I say ask Murphy!

          Murphy just loves to help me out on so many projects and rather than spend more time and cussing trying to stop and change something back I just keep going forward and hopefully (usually) what I see, is what you see.  I witness the model unveiling as the customer. ha.

          So specifically addressing the wood caboose.  I received a wood model that had some detailing that I didn't feel were to a preferred standard. (that's not to say any original work done before me is or was good, bad or ugly).  I simply means that if a customer wants light weathering, will the broken or heavily glued part show up more as a distraction or enhancement?

          I'm sure if I showed all projects with a before and after pic.  If most likely would show why or how or what I did to arrive at the current location. However it might also show the skill level or even embarrass the owner. So for that I don't show the original project.

          It's far better for me to show my completed interpretation of a project which easily shows my lack of skill or sub modeling to which a future customer could easily decide whether or not to avoid my humble services.

          So the back story for this caboose is simple to me.  Weathering is NOT painting. So it shouldn't be even or symmetrical  or the same on either sides. (just like the prototypes). To go further.  I learned from more advanced modelers as a kid, to letter wood with dry transfers not decals.

          So why one side is decent and the other side is-not so much, is because of my best friend Murphy helping me and I only had one set of transfers on hand. Wow huh! ha.  I only listed the caboose here to try to inspire wood structure modelers (on this kit forum) that a wood kit rollingstock is structure modeling also and here's my interpretation of one.

           I don't count rivets anymore unless I'm absolutely instructed to build an exact model period. Which, let's face it... it costs more because of the exact time it takes for exact results.  Hope this helps any confusion as to what or why.  Okay go ahead and bitch slap me now, I can take it. ha.  Thanx Thom...

[RWL]

David,
I want to clarify my statement of mis-lettered. My definition of mis-letterd is, the lettering on the caboose does not follow NYC prototypical stenciling practice neither of size, or placement, nothing more.
Bob

[Candy]

What are these boxes and what are they for?