How To ... Build A Brass Caboose

[TrainCat2]

OK, I got some more done between working on other new projects. Time to build the undercarrage.

First place the Outer Floor with the detail facing up. Get together all of the other components; I-Beam Webs A & B, I-Beam Cap Strips, Bolster Ribs & Plates, Air Line.


Secure the two I-Beam Webs to the center of the Outer Floor. Bend the Air Hose in a "Z" bend to fit the angle in the I-Beam Webs. Install the Air Hose.


Add the Bolster Ribs by sliding the slots in the Ribs into the slots in the I-Beam Web. Secure the Ribs to the Outer Floor.


Next goes the I-Beam Cap Strips. The Cap Strips have slots on the underside and the Webs have notches. Once Secure, add the Bolster Plates over the Bolster Ribs. I am still waiting for my custom brass castings to arrive. Included in the kit will be Air Hoses, Air Resevoir, Brake Actuator and Selector Valve with .008 brass wire for the plumbing.


Test fit the Undercarrage trimming the Air Lines to the end of the Landings.


.

[Walkercolt]

Bob, constructive suggestion: Make a photo-copy of the etching and number and/or name the parts for us idiots, who don't know a beam from a bolster or cross-member. What you've got looks great! It's hard to write instructions for idiots, I know, I've had to do it. You have to forget you know what the parts are and how they go together.

[Chris333]

If I could do that nice, I'd have every single thing the Erie ever owned!

[SirTainly]

Stop shooting pics of this SP crap and etch up some CR cabin cars man.

Yes Mother

Enough of this Eastern crap, get back to the SP!

Actually I was thinking of ordering one of the Bay windows so this tutorial is great. Btw Bob, I notice you plan to do an SP Flanger, I'm definitely interested in those.

Simon

[Darkelf]

Bob,

  Great work - and great looking kit!

Aloha,
  --Greg

[Mark5]

Danger Will Robinson!


Shields up on wallets.

[Lucas in Alaska]

Bob,

 Looks great, can't wait to see the rest.

Lucas

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Thats a nice N9, but what about the cuter little sister, the N11?

[TrainCat2]

Now that the basic body shell is assembled, time to build and install the doors. Each door consists of an inner and an outer panel.


Once the doors a built, install the doors into opening from the inside. If you are going to pait or add details, do it now because the next steps will seal it tight.


On the inside of the sides are two slots where the Cupola End tabs interlock. Put them in loose for now.


Secure the Cupola Sides to the Ends


Take the long roof and bend it following the underside bend line. The proper angle can be set using the caboose ends. Secure the Roof End Facia. OK, one end of the Long Roof has two tabs and the Cupola End has two slots. Put the Roof tabs into the slots, center the Roof on the Caboose and secure.


Use the same procedure and secure the Short Roof onto the caboose


More later guys & gals.

.

[Iain]

How hard would it be to make the roof removable so that one can get in if maintenance of one sort or another is required?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Anyone know a really cheap resistance soldering iron? I will need it with the NYC bay and transfer cabs coming.

Bob, wonderful stuff. What else do you have up your sleve? I'll purchase anything that ran on Conrail.

[TrainCat2]

Daniel,

Save yourself $150-$200 by buying the Resistance iron at www.mro2go.com. The American Beauty # you will want is 10599. This is a 100Watt with micro-tweezers.

http://mro2go.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=13810599120&Category_Code=&Search=10599&Search_Type=AND&Offset=0

[TrainCat2]

Attach the Cupola End Detail Overlays ensuring the holes for the handrails line up. This view also gives a look at the Roof Fascia and the good view of the caboose end up to this point.


Attach the Cupola Side Detail Overlays ensuring the holes for the windows line up. Ensure the bottom of the Overlay is flush against the Caboose Side.


Insert two "wide" handrails into the holes in the Cupola Ends. Secure from the inside. Bend the Cupola Roof to fit. Center the roof to the Cupola and secure.

Do NOT add the Roof Railings or Walkway yet.


The walkways for the Long Roof and the Short Roof should be removed from the kit and the small attachments bent up under the Walkway. The image shows that attachments on one side have been bent under while the ones on the top half have not been bent yet. Do NOT bend the long attachments yet.


Study the following images to see how the Walkways are secured. The small attachments that were bent under the Walkway now rest on the Roof to compensate for the sloping Roof angle. Secure the Walkway to the Roof at the small attachments. Carefully bend the Walkways adjacent to the Cupola to match the Roof slope. Use the long attachments to secure these walkways to the Caboose side.

The overhang at the Caboose end actually has two bends. First is the Walkway End which is bent 90 degrees down to the Walkway. The long attachments on the Walkway End are then bent to the Roof Fascia and secured.


Repeat the process for the Short Walkway on the Short Roof.


.

[RS-27]

Thank you.

You've out 'Bob-ed' ;D me by far, the folding of the sheets is so elegant. 

While your choice of prototypes doesn't excite me (sorry), the results do.

I don't expect you to give away trade secrets, but Chris and myself would like to know the etching techniques that are used, if you are privy to their secrets.

Bob in IDaho

[Chris333]

I think the main secret is the equipment. 

Artwork takes time to draw, but the equipment makes it come to life.