I am hoping someone may be able to answer some questions about a caboose kit I won on ebay. First off I bid on the kit thinking it was an HO scale kit as it was listed in the HO scale listings. I had never heard of the company and meant to google them before bidding but I forgot and when I did remember the auction had less than 2 minutes to go so I went ahead and bid. I ended up winning it. Well the kit showed up today and I was surprised to learn it is an O scale caboose kit. :o Good thing I got it for a very good price.

The kit was sold by Northern Models ( Toronto, Canada ) and was produced by Mullet River Model Works. The kit builds one of four versions of a Canadian National Railways wood caboose. The kit is made up off laser cut and engraved wood parts and etched brass parts for the frame as well as some cast brass details and brass wire. It looks like a very nice kit with loads of detail. it even comes with interior parts.The instruction seem to suggest it was meant to be built as a Proto 48 caboose but does mention what needs to be done to mount standard O scale couplers ect. I do not model in O scale but I am very tempted to build the kit as a display piece due to the fact it is a model of my favorite CNR caboose type and also because of all the great detail.

Has anyone here ever built one of these kits? I am asking because my kit came with two sets of etched brass frame parts. One set has dimples etched in them so the builder can punch rivet detail and the other set does not. The funny thing is there are two complete set of steps, end plateforms, ladders and a few other parts that are identical. Does anyone know whey there are to sets of brass frame parts and end details included? There is also two sets of wooden unframe parts included which are identical to each other as well. Other than the above listed sets of duplicate parts the kit is complete and has all the other require parts to build one of four versions of a CNR wood caboose ( well except for trucks and couplers as they are supplied by the builder it seems ).

I have attached a picture of the kit. I would be very gratefull for any info anyone may be able to provide about this kit.

Wayne Reid

   

While working on my layout the other day I realized that I needed a way to move and load freight in the freight handling area other than just a crane. I went looking through my goody box and found a Boley front end loader that I bought sometime ago.It looked like it would fill the need. This on was the articulated type which I didn't want so I filled in the area behind the cab,cut the back off the cab,added a rear window and a new stack. I then cut the bucket off the arms and added some styrene strips to simulate the fork blades.Once finished I will have something that can do the job.
Enjoy-Bob

Hey Wayne,

For the benfit of the masses, could you please describe the various modifications (and how you accomplished them) you made on this Athearn car? Looks like you shaved down or removed the door tracks and replaced them. Looks like a new door. New running board? Steps and grab irons?



Thanks Wayne!

Just curious if other folks find themselves continually fixing or at least having to improve their layout's track?

Back in the winter, my main 4x6 layout had a LOT of track problems. During Feb/Mar I managed to fix most of these and I hardly ever get any derailments now. However, I've also found that there are still several places where I can still improve it further. Again, the "trick" is to keep all track as flat as possible, especially turnouts.

I've noticed that most of my locos (especially my newer ones) will pass through the problematic turnouts with no problems so that gave me the illusion that my track was in good shape. But a few locos (mainly my older ones) will either hesitate or stall at the turnouts. So, during the past few days, I’ve managed to make the turnouts even “flatter” and there has been a definite improvement.

[My layout has had so many uneven areas for several reasons -- the main one is that I’ve tweaked and changed the track layout so much (this has been my “learning curve” layout) that I’ve often ended up laying the the track on surfaces that are no longer even.]

I find it strange that 90% of my locos will run smoothly through slightly uneven turnouts, but it takes the remaining 10% to reveal the problems in the layout. Also, when I buy a new loco, I often have to tweak the track as well.

There have been many times, during the past few years, when I’ve thought I was done fixing the track, yet there are still places that need improving. I guess this is also true in real life as crews are often out repairing and improving track as well.

Rob

A couple of days ago I say a powder blue diesel unit letter KCS bringing up the rear of a BNSF coal drag. I assume that stands for Kansas City Southern?

Today I saw boxcars rolling north lettered for the RJ CONNELL (sp?) Railroad. Does anyone know anything about that outfit? First I ever heard of them.

Interesting thing...for years and years, loaded consists have traveled south and empties have returned north. Now, about a third of the traffic I have seen is loaded going north with the empties returning south.

I have listed a Kato BNSF AC4400CW (HO Scale) on ebay for sale. Starting bid of $49.95. Buy it now receives FREE shipping to USA

Loco was bought off ebay a while back, was custom detailed and has had after market detail parts added on to super detail it. DCC ready and brand new having only been test run by previous owner

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...0201434092

We finally made the jump to sound on two diesels (AC4400 and SD80MAC). I installed an MRC sound decoder and after some gentle persuasion to get the decoder to fit, both decoders programmed correctly and are up and running. I think given the noise these guys make, that I'll only have these two with sound. I can't imagine having any more than this running around my small layout putting out sound.

I know I mentioned this to someone, but i can't remember who

The story starts, like most of my "Adventure" stories do:

I was geocaching in Delaware and Maryland and while we were going along Henderson Rd. in Maryland, I (of course) noticed a rail line

I marked the location on my GPS and promptly forgot all about it

Now, a month later - I'm loading more stuff into the GPSr and I remembered the tracks.....

How would you like to have a railroad through your front yard???

Here is the website describing the railroad.
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It seems it actually ran through this area until 1982!

Really interesting, I think and worth sharing.

To find the road, google "marydel md" turn on "Maps" not satelite and you'll see the railroad heading South... Follow it until it meets up with Henderson Rd.. Really neat stuff!!!

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For the intermodal fans on this forum, I have listed a huge lot of Walthers 20', 40', and 48' Containers on ebay in lots

Here is a link to my ebay auctions, take a look, and i offer combined shipping!!! Tons of containers to choose from

http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/bnsfmodeler123