FVM Milwaukee Cabooses Shipped.

[spookshow]

Who made the trucks on the prototype? They don't look like typical Barber-Bettendorf style trucks.

Thanks,
-Mark

[Dave Schneider]

Mark,

The Milwaukee used both straight frame and drop frame trucks on the rib sides and later Thrall built rivet side cabooses....sometimes one of each! FVM is producing both truck versions. Sorry I don't know who produced them at present but I will see if I can find something tonight in my references.



The Jeff Kehoe rib side book indicates that the drop frame trucks provided a better ride and in later years cabooses that used them were used in mainline service while the straight frame equipped cabooses were used on branches and patrols (locals).

Marty,
Nice job on the wood caboose. Here is a Jim Sands photo of the prototype.


Best wishes, Dave

[CBQ Fan]

Anyone know when the second batch will be arriving??

[spookshow]

Thanks, Dave. FWIW, I read someplace that these trucks are based on a design first used on some 56' combines built in 1934.

-Mark

[Dave Schneider]

Mark,

The Kehoe book just lists the trucks as "Milwaukee Road-designed passenger-type". Cabooses 01800 to 02014 were originally equipped with the straight frame design, while 02015 to 02114 had the drop frame design beginning with the 1949 cars.  It does reference the straight frame trucks as being of a 1934 design.

Best wishes, Dave

[spookshow]

Thanks for the info. Dave. Much appreciated.

-Mark

[milw12]

I don't know anything about the Cannon River Line so I can only speculate.  A 1950s branch line might not have rated a relatively new rib side caboose. There were wood and steel cupola cabooses still in service on branches in the 1950s.  That said, I wouldn't let that stop me from acquiring the new FVM model. As for the scheme, my opinion is that the original non-herald version would be more believable for your time frame. The switch from the CMStP&P herald occurred in 1953, so many of the cabooses of your era would still be in the original scheme. You could get away with the modern herald version, but it would have to be a fresh paint job, and that seems like a less likely assignment for a branch line.

Thanks Dave!

The Cannon River line was pretty sleepy, to say the least. I believe there were only 2-3 MILW trains a week, and roughly as many CGW. Needless to say these ribsides are too good to pass up, I'll have to scrounge up a cupola caboose for when I want to be extra prototypical 

Good point in the paint scheme, I wouldn't have considered that, I've been out of the railroading loop for a while. Plus the original scheme is extra classy, so that won't hurt.

Thanks again

[Roger Holmes]

Will Matt be making any with yellow ends?

I seem to recall clearly that when these were first announced that one of the late schemes would have yellow ends but I've looked everywhere that I can think of and can't find that info.  Then again I don't recall anything as clearly as I used to.

Skibbe--If you see Matt can you ask him, please?

I got the first of my four and it is absolutely gorgeous.  There will be five Oriental Limited bay window cabeese doing duty as scenery on my caboose track soon.

[SkipGear]

Group 2 arrived today - 46 built Low Windows.

Group 3 in a couple weeks - 51 built Low Windows Drop frame trucks.

[nkalanaga]

Still waiting for mine from group 1.
N Kalanaga

[Ian MacMillan]

Can't wait to get mine!

[CBQ Fan]

Group 2 arrived today - 46 built Low Windows.

Group 3 in a couple weeks - 51 built Low Windows Drop frame trucks.

Thanks Tony.

[Chulvis]

Still waiting for mine from group 1.
N Kalanaga

I should get my shipment of group 2 today, David. Happy box will be forth coming! 

[w neal]

"Oh Noooo"

- Mr. Wallet

"Oh Yeah!"

- Mr. Id (Also see the band Yellow - You know, the Ferris Buller song...)

[Dave Schneider]

I should get my shipment of group 2 today, David. Happy box will be forth coming! 

Chuck,
Thanks for the update! Looking forward to getting these.

Best wishes, Dave