Ralph's 2010 Spring Bash Challenge

[Gary S]

That turned out really nice, Ralph. I'll be looking forward to seeing the caboose assembled.

Again, it is really interesting to see all these projects take shape.

[Ralph]

Here's how it looks with the body on the chassis. Next comes trucks, couplers, and a smoke stack...and then it will be time to put the caboose in service on the layout.







Ralph

[nachoman]

fantastic!!

[Puddlejumper]

Ralph,
That cabin really turned out well! Thanks for sharing.

[Ralph]

OK, the caboose is pretty much completed. I've added couplers and fashioned the characteristic N8 smokestack out of sprues. After applying a little artists chalk weathering and I think its ready for the layout! I'm glad I kept that 1970 Railroad Model Craftsman article about transforming a Tyco caboose into a " reasonable N8"...it only took me 40 years to finally get around to it!







Ralph

[Charlie B]

Ralph,
Very well done.
Charlie

[e-paw]

Nice job

[Puddlejumper]

What kind of couplers are those?

[Gary S]

Nice job Ralph. Thank you for sharing your work.

[nachoman]

that is going to look good on the end of your trains!

[doctorwayne]

Nice work, Ralph and well-worth the 40 year wait.

What kind of couplers are those?

Those couplers are an early style of Kadees and are the same ones which I used when I started out in HO. They used a diamond-shaped mechanically operated uncoupling device, which forced apart the pins projecting from the knuckles. I was disappointed when they were discontinued, forcing me to switch to the magnematics, not only because of the cost but also because I think that they're better-looking.
I still use them on some of my maintenance-of-way equipment, such as this flatcar:


...and this crane's boom tender:


Wayne

[Ralph]

You beat me to it Wayne but thanks for the explanation about the couplers. I received several of them in a box of HO equipment from my uncle several years ago when he decided to switch to N scale. I've gradually been adding them to my rolling stock. It hadn't occurred to me that they look noticeably different but they work really well and have been very reliable.

Ralph

[Puddlejumper]

It hadn't occurred to me that they look noticeably different but they work really well and have been very reliable.

Ralph

They look good to me! I just noticed the different trip pin and was wondering what they were.

[Sumpter250]

Nice bit of conversion! Some LPC (Little Plastic Conductor) is going to be very happy to occupy that cabin.

[Ralph]

Thanks guys! Here is the N8 on the layout crossing Ulster Ave.



Ralph