How To Building a Rail Yard Caboose kit

[Wolfgang Dudler]

Westport Terminal RR needs quite a few cabooses. There're already two International Bay Window Cabooses fromWalthers, Nos 78 and 83



one 4-Window Wood Caboose from Walthers, No 73,



and one scratch build Track Cleaning Transfer Caboose and one Transfer Caboose from a Red Caboose flatcar and MOLOCO kit



Now I wanted another type and bought from Rail Yard Models the MISSOURI PACIFIC SHORT BAY WINDOW CABOOSE kit. It's a urethane castings craftsman kit.

Here's my How To:

Following the instructions I run into a few problems. There're many parts, most are numbered. But in the intructions not all is named by this number. So I had to use my imagination.
But I wrote also an email to Rail Yard Models and got help, another "Parts Map" which helps a lot. Very supportive!

Bending grab irons. You have to measure the distance between the dimples and look for appropriate place at the provided jig.
You can even solder with this jig. That's important for the end railings! The first and second end railings will go to the Diamond Valley scrap yard.

[Wolfgang Dudler]

These are the grab irons for the car body



and for the end sills




You see here the end railings



You see, bending and soldering with this jig is fun and easy.

Wolfgang

[Wolfgang Dudler]

I worked along the manual and glued the end railings to the end sills. Protruding wires were cut.



Then I added the hand brake support and the splashguards. Nest step was the brake/whistle pipe.

[Wolfgang Dudler]

Side Rails. Again, bending the side rails is not difficult using the jig. I reworked the bends with a pair of tongs. Again those jig comes to action with drilling the stanchions. Very clever!



Differently from the instruction manual I glue side rails, fuel tank and toolbox before painting.
With airbrush this will not be a big problem. The problem will be masking for my Westport Terminal paint scheme.



Wolfgang

[StrasburgNut]

Did you make this jig?

[Wolfgang Dudler]

Originally Posted by StrasburgNut

Did you make this jig?

This jig is included with the kit. Great!
You need it for drilling the stanchions, too.

Wolfgang

[shortliner]

Wolfgang - I have one of these, and very nice they are too

[Wolfgang Dudler]

shortliner, good job with the caboose! How runs the tractor? Slowly??

Here're my next steps.

Drilling the stanchions with the jig.



With end railings finished I was busy with side rails. And I noticed one mistake. I've read the instructions wrong and used the Side Handrail Channel for the brake housing instead the Brake Stand Halfs.
But there're three of the angle castings and I used these instead the - now missing - channel casting.
My caboose is not MP, it's WT and so I don't worry!





The smoke jack comes in two halves. This gives the chance to open it.



Wolfgang

[shortliner]

Hi Wolfgang - the caboose was built for me, since my hands are getting shaky occasionally, which is no good for painting - it is inherited, unfortunately!. The Trackmobiles run beautifully - I have two! One DC and one DCC, both superb for small switching jobs

[Wolfgang Dudler]

Originally Posted by shortliner

The Trackmobiles run beautifully - I have two! One DC and one DCC, both superb for small switching jobs

That sounds good. I've heard others, not good running and pulling. But I will stay - for now - with my 25-ton. It has sound.

Well, here're the next pictures from my caboose. The roof is not glued to the body. I will have to install the window glass after painting.