KCS cabeese

[Mark5]

So I'm thinking - a little 97% isopropyl Alcohol, some Squadron Green putty, and some silver paint . . . could turn this:
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Micro_trains_Bay_Window_Caboose_CSX_p/mtl-13000040.htm

Into this:



Any objections?

MT on left:


Mark

[sirenwerks]

Mark,

If MT's caboose is on the right, what's on the left?

[bbussey]

You are correct about the MT caboose proportions - if you are talking about many cabooses - especially the SP that it is supposed to be.........................
But, if you look carefully at the KCS pic, the taller MT sides are much closer to correct for the KCS caboose than the Athearn car would be.

Actually, I would want to see scale drawings of the prototype before making any final decisions on which model to use as a basis.  It might be more prudent to etch the sides and ends out of brass and salvage the remaining components from one of the existing RTR models.  There is no way of absolutely knowing which model to use as a basis without that information.

[H Lee]

You are correct about the MT caboose proportions - if you are talking about many cabooses - especially the SP that it is supposed to be.........................
But, if you look carefully at the KCS pic, the taller MT sides are much closer to correct for the KCS caboose than the Athearn car would be.

Actually, I would want to see scale drawings of the prototype before making any final decisions on which model to use as a basis.  It might be more prudent to etch the sides and ends out of brass and salvage the remaining components from one of the existing RTR models.  There is no way of absolutely knowing which model to use as a basis without that information.

My interpretation is that he is wanting to 'kitbash' a model not produce one to exact measurements in all respects - so the 'visual appearance' is more important that exact measurement...................I suspect strongly that neither the MT or Athearn (or Modpow or Rivarossi or Walthers) will be close in all dimensions. I have used all of the mentioned cabooses (except for the Athearn of course) for various projects over the years and can tell you the length, width and height varies by a little bit for all of them. So, again I repeat the 'visual impression' is more important in a kitbash than 100% percent adherence to actual scale mesurement. I don't expect you to agree with or even tolerate my opinion --- in fact I'm sure you won't. I just hope Phillip goes ahead with his project as he first suggested, and doesn't get discouraged because it won't be exact. After all it is only a model and if it looks right to him that is the only important thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Philip H]

You are correct about the MT caboose proportions - if you are talking about many cabooses - especially the SP that it is supposed to be.........................
But, if you look carefully at the KCS pic, the taller MT sides are much closer to correct for the KCS caboose than the Athearn car would be.

Actually, I would want to see scale drawings of the prototype before making any final decisions on which model to use as a basis.  It might be more prudent to etch the sides and ends out of brass and salvage the remaining components from one of the existing RTR models.  There is no way of absolutely knowing which model to use as a basis without that information.

My interpretation is that he is wanting to 'kitbash' a model not produce one to exact measurements in all respects - so the 'visual appearance' is more important that exact measurement...................I suspect strongly that neither the MT or Athearn (or Modpow or Rivarossi or Walthers) will be close in all dimensions. I have used all of the mentioned cabooses (except for the Athearn of course) for various projects over the years and can tell you the length, width and height varies by a little bit for all of them. So, again I repeat the 'visual impression' is more important in a kitbash than 100% percent adherence to actual scale mesurement. I don't expect you to agree with or even tolerate my opinion --- in fact I'm sure you won't. I just hope Phillip goes ahead with his project as he first suggested, and doesn't get discouraged because it won't be exact. After all it is only a model and if it looks right to him that is the only important thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

H Lee wins the award for getting my take correct.  My plan is to use the car that is the closest in size, and do a kitbash to get the look.  I'd love to be able to etch brass - but if I could do that I'd be doing the whole car.  And right now I'm more interested in getting a caboose ready for what appears to be an end of September Railwire gathering somewhere near here.  That way Lee can get my GP-30 going, and I can bring the noise with a KCS way freight - if allowed by the dispatcher.

And on the subject of prototype accuracy - KCS in N scale has been foobied for so long I don't pay attention much anymore.  Too many other interesting things to do with my modelling time.

[Mark5]

Mark,

If MT's caboose is on the right, what's on the left?

ahem, re-read my post.

The other caboose (not on jack stands ) is a brass model.
(pic hijacked from another railwire thread)

Mark

[sirenwerks]

Mark,

If MT's caboose is on the right, what's on the left?

ahem, re-read my post.

The other caboose (not on jack stands ) is a brass model.
(pic hijacked from another railwire thread)

Mark

My bad, I meant the other right. But you got my gist. I'm interested to see a comparison betwix the MT and Athearn car. I don't remember seeing the Athearn car yet, at Kleins. Then again, they keep so much in the back and not on the shelves. It stinks that way.

Phillip, if you need any Walthers cars, I got a few to part with. PM me.

[Mark5]

I'm interested to see a comparison betwix the MT and Athearn car. I don't remember seeing the Athearn car yet, at Kleins.

I can't wait to see a comparison too!

The ugly on the MT version was documented here:

http://therailwire.net/forum/index.php/topic,18387.0.html

Athearns are due soon. Pic from a trade show:

http://picasaweb.google.com/TimNixon5045/NTSHartford#

[Philip H]

so is the consensus Athearn, Walthers, MTL in terms of best to worst?  Just wondering . . . .

[Mark5]

that may be right.

I think the Athearns won't be here until weeks after your late september deadline, so I guess that rules out the Athearn.

Mark

[Dave Schneider]

so is the consensus Athearn, Walthers, MTL in terms of best to worst?  Just wondering . . . .

Phil,

You must be better in understanding the consensus of a 12-sided argument than most people. Even though I advanced the candidacy of the Walthers car (due mainly to the window shape on the side and small bay windows), if you are just looking to strip it and dip it I think the MT model is superior in many ways.

Best wishes, Dave

[Mark5]

The Wally caboose is crude. I got one and later became disgusted with it and sold it.

That leaves the MT as readily available in your time frame (September). But read the thread posted above so you know what you're getting into. ;D

Mark

[wm3798]

Geez.  I must be gettin' old.  That Cheesie caboose, with the proper amount of grime, could be a pretty passable model.  I wonder how difficult it would be to cut in the appropriate window arrangement...

Lee

[Mark5]

Geez.  I must be gettin' old.  That Cheesie caboose, with the proper amount of grime, could be a pretty passable model.  I wonder how difficult it would be to cut in the appropriate window arrangement...

Lee

That's the yet to be seen Athearn C50

Here kitty kitty ...

[Philip H]

The Wally caboose is crude. I got one and later became disgusted with it and sold it.

That leaves the MT as readily available in your time frame (September). But read the thread posted above so you know what you're getting into. ;D

Mark

Now Mark,
Why would i start a thread that I don't then read?????  ;D