Caboose cupola

No easy answers on that one that I know of.

1. Make your own (there are videos on working with brass on You Tube )

2. cannibalize another brass caboose

3. cast one via lost plastic

Simon

Thanks Simon.

I’ll probably end up using option #2.

The protect I have in mind is building a dynamometer car using a converted RPO car as  a starting point. All of the dynamometer car photos I’ve seen have a cupola.

I appreciate your suggestions.

Richard

@Simon Winter posted:

No easy answers on that one that I know of.

1. Make your own (there are videos on working with brass on You Tube )

2. cannibalize another brass caboose

3. cast one via lost plastic

Simon

You might also consider copying the parts from an Ambroid or QC kit - metal castings that you could make an RTV mold of and then cast as many sets of parts as needed. Think that the Train Craft kits might also serve similarly.

At one time Bob Lavezzi had some brass cupolas, but I suspect he may have sold those off.

Wouldn't you have more options if you started with a plastic RPO?

Pete

If you are not adept at soldering, you scratch build one out of styrene.    ONce painted, you can't tell the difference.

Interesting batch of replies.

I have some brass cupolas but there are so many different types and sizes.  It would help if you could provide a photo, or two, of what you're looking for.

Jay

Cupola was a separate fabrication for this Mullet River (No longer available) wood kit.

Jay,

I'm planning to build an NYC dynamometer car. Pictures are  attached. The first picture is an NYC  car and the second picture is a C&O car. I may have to fabricate a cupola but if I can find a cupola that comes close to the one I need I should be able  to make it work.

I appreciate all of the replies!

Richard

Richard,

I have probably 2 dozen brass cupolas but none like that.  Sorry I can't help you out.

Good luck with your build.

Jay

Thanks Jay!

Richard

Richard, I can't say that I recall any caboose cupola that resembles the cupola in either of those photos.  I do believe you may have to construct one.  Good luck finding one if they're out there and with your project.

There's always Brother Love!

The cupola in the pictures appears to have the same roof line as the rest of the roof, just raised. Assuming you were going to cut out the roof under the cupola I would think you could use that piece with added sides and ends. Not a common roof line either. Maybe start with a Harriman style car.

Pete

Thanks Joe and Pete. It’s going to take some planning. I found a picture of the interior of the C&O car. It’s in the B&O Museum.  It looks as if the cupola was used to provide light over the test equipment.

dkdkrd,

Brother Love might be an option. He is down the road from me in Mississippi I believe.

I’m still amazed that one of the major manufacturers hasn’t produced a dynamometer car by now.

Thanks again

Richard

I am going to hazard a guess that scratchbuilding the cupola will be the easiest part by an order of magnitude.