The NKP 1000 Series Caboose build thread

[Lemosteam]

I am starting this thread to document my latest full kit design, the NKP 1000 Series caboose. Please read the following as the kit is nearing completion, with the grab and end platform etches being the final hurdle.

This kit was commissioned by @jdcolombo for his personal use, and if feasible, sale by the Nickel Plate Road Historical & Technical Society in their company store.  If you are interested in obtaining one of these kits, please direct any questions about potential sales to him. This kit WILL NOT be sold via Keystone Details, nor will John’s IP be available for printing, unless he officially directs me to do so, however the trucks will, and are already listed on the KD worksheet.

Here is the first fully assembled kit, sans etched grabs and platform end rails.

I designed a bending and soldering jig for the grabs, but that proved very difficult, compared other jigs I have designed in the past, so after consulting John, we have agreed to develop etched grabs, even for the 90 degree grabs on the end platform and the cupola roof. The end grabs and ladders will be Stainless for durability while the rest will be brass for easy bending.

The model is designed over scale images and plans from the NKPHS society, with accurate printed trucks, full underbody details, and separate details including window sashes to trap clear styrene windows, end doors, wood grooved wood platforms and other, recognizable details, combining for over 55 separate parts when all is said and done. Some materials will need to be obtained to complete this kit which will be mentioned later.

Wire grabs that you see in images are made by me only to prove out the roof and shell hole locations. The shells and roof will be printed in grey resin, and the rest in black.

[towl1996]

Wow, that's a great looking kit! Could an N8 be far behind?

[jdcolombo]

I'd like to add that John's work on this project has been nothing short of phenomenal.  The NKP 1000-series caboose is completely unique, and accordingly the likelihood that any mainstream model manufacturer (e.g. Atlas) would ever produce one is zero.  But it was THE caboose on the NKP for nearly 80 years, bringing up the rear of trains led by 4-4-0's to Berkshires to GP30's.  And some lasted beyond the merger with the N&W in 1964.  You can't really model the NKP without a 1000-series (well, you can, because many of us have done it in N, HO and O scales, but there's a hole in your heart . . .).  There have been some brass models in HO; and a laser-cut wood kit from the now-defunct AMB in both HO and N, which I personally didn't pursue. 

Fortunately, 3D print quality has evolved to the point that an accurate printed N-scale version of the 1000 is not a pipe dream, and John's persistence and perfectionism has made this possible.  I do hope that the NKPHTS will be able to offer a 1000-series kit in N scale for those interested in having one (or several) on a layout, but we're still a fair ways away from finalizing how that will work.  All I can say is that if you are interested in this project, e-mail me at jdcolombo@gmail.com or PM me here at TRW, and I'll keep you in the loop as things develop.  I get mine first, though . . . 

John C.

[btrain]

That looks fantastic! The fidelity of detail had me thinking it was a brass HO model in primer paint.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh man, some of my favorite people collaborating on a thing to help one of my favorite clients? I can't help but love it.

[Mark5]

And some lasted beyond the merger with the N&W in 1964. 

I have many photos of these in N&W paint - a quick look and the newest photo I have is from 1972 (probably after retirement).

These were class C11 (559000-559192) & C12 (559194-559208) on the N&W. Looks like most if not all were off the roster by 1971.

[Chris333]

Is there an inner and outer wall or does the glass fit into a slot?

[Lemosteam]

Is there an inner and outer wall or does the glass fit into a slot?

The glass is 0.005” clear styrene, cut into strips for width, and then for height, and drop onto a shoulder inside the opening, then the printed sash goes in over that, trapping the glass. A dot of thin CA into opposite corners wicks in and holds.

[Lemosteam]

The kit contents are shown and explained below.

Here are the printed parts in the kit. First the main pieces:

The main shell:



The main roof:



The cupola shell:



The cupola roof:



The underbody frame:



The caboose trucks:



Here are the printed detail parts:

The smoke stack:



The cupola marker lights:



These next parts were originally to be etched in 0.25mm brass, some with folds, but I decided to take the folded design make them a solid, and print them. Let’s just say I was blown away when they printed perfectly.

The platform end decking:



The platform steps:



The brake wheels:



The end doors:



The roofwalks:



The window sashes, lower shell side windows, the cupola shell side windows, and the cupola shell end windows:







And unbelievably, the truss rod turnbuckle!



There will be a printed bending tool to be designed later.

This will be the stainless end platform railings and roof ladder:



The brass etch will be deigned soon and shown later.

[Mark5]

That looks really nice!  (and probably much easier to assemble than my AMB N&W CF Caboose kits!)

[OldEastRR]

Uh oh ... what's Peteski going to say about those board gaps? 

[Lemosteam]

Uh oh ... what's Peteski going to say about those board gaps? 

He's already seen them, Lol.

[thomasjmdavis]

Uh oh ... what's Peteski going to say about those board gaps? 

By the time it is primed and painted, he will no doubt be complimentary.

[Chris333]

Pilling on the door grapes.

[Jesse6669]

Looks really nice!  Hey, wanna re-scale and print one in Z?   

Re. the doors--you might try put them on the long edge down (hinge side) so there isn't as much vertical.  Or add a pair of supports up to the top corners.