Caboose Identification - late era vintage

Gray, it very well could be scratchbuilt.  The bay windows look very much like Keil-Line castings.

Upon closer inspection doing some repairs. I do believe Brother Love is correct.  Scratch built with some commercially available parts.

The steps lead me to think this as they look identical, they are just 99% (good enough for me) but not all the exact same.

The car is really not bad aside from bent steps. 

Reattachment of steps and a new paint job is next.  I'll post a few pictures of the progress.

Gray

@NHVRYGray posted:

Looks to be a wood body with white metal bay windows.

While it might be a kit of some low production number garage/basement cottage industry (those ends for the brake system are interesting enough to suggest that possibility), a wood body and metal bay windows tends to indicate scratchbuilt.

Keil-line did sell and now Scale City sells both styles of those baywindow castings.

What's the underbody look like?

See pictures of top and bottom.

Top looks factory of some sort. Milled wood top with sheet metal stamped braces.

The bottom is all wood.

Two date clues are KD couplers and the end markers made from red LED's, moves to mid 70s maybe.

I reattached the steps in the original nail holes and gave it a coat of red.

I didn't have a pair of caboose trucks, so just stuck another pair on, curiously the steps won't allow the trucks to turn.  Maybe that's why it ended up in a junk box with the steps torn off full of dirt dobber tunnels.

Guess I'll have to move the truck centers in a little bit so the trucks can turn.

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The trucks look to far apart as it is right now.  I think it will look just right if you move them inboard just enough to clear the steps.   

This is a really neat find!  Please keep us posted through to the finished item!

KD

Windows,  window frame trim, lettering done.  Window frames are 0.010 x 0.040 Evergreen strip.  Took a couple days to do, only so much tedium can be done at one session.

Correct trucks due in 3-10-23.  Handrails need trimming in yellow.  I'll post when done.

Not to bad looking after a little TLC to have come from a junk box.

Looks great!  Nice to save something from the scrap heep!

The junk box find project is now complete.

All decals, yellow trim and a pair of vintage swing bolster trucks finished out this project.

Trucks will now turn, had to move in by 0.250 inches to clear the steps.

Don't think this find turned out too bad.  And no more dirt dobber hotel!!

Looking sharp!