I am looking for either scale drawings (did they ever exist?) or, more likely, some basic measurements for one of these Milwaukee transfer cabooses. Failing that, does anyone know the dimensions of one of those sets of trucks accurately enough that I can scale the rest of the vehicle from these? Here's a sample prototype picture... Thanks in advance! Adam
Maybe I should ask if anyone knows what the dimensions of the "cabin" are. It looks like maybe 8 feet by 12 feet. Also, if anyone knows what size trucks these are that would help me narrow this down. Thanks! Adam
The Milwaukee Road Historical Association has a book, "Milwaukee Road Steel Cabooses" that has a Transfer Caboose as the centerfold...yep..centerfold (I knew I was getting old when that centerfold held more interest than the, "usual" centerfold.). It's a three view drawing. I can't remember if the dimensions are listed, but they would be easy enough to deduce from by measuring a wheel and working from there. -Mark
I saw a mention of that book. I will order it on your recommendation now that I know that the view will be helpful and isn't just another perspective shot. I know I must be getting old, too, when my wife calls my stack of Milwaukee Road picture books next to the bed my railroad porn.
Good guess on the 8'X12'........My book says you're right. No mention of the trucks specifically, but they were built on steam tender frames, so I'd guess the trucks might be from that source also.
They were. AMERICA'S RESOURCEFUL RAILROAD simply torched the side sheets off the tender, welded plate steel to the frame, added steps, and then built the, "box" on top of it. The tender trucks are what I see in most photos. The tender frames varied. I think they used the tenders from the F class 4-6-4's and the L class Mikado 2-8-2's.
