MTH Caboose upgrades

Welcome back. 

Love the caboose, great idea about the white in the dull coat. Never thought of that.

can't wait to see more!

Nice.  I was wondering why I herd rumbling thru the halls of OGR.  Any updates on the Wig Wags?

I gave the go ahead for 100 pair of brass castings.

The MTH caboose really turned out well!

Really nice work Doug. Welcome back. 

Here's a couple outdoor photos in the CA sunshine. Yes it's sitting on 2R track

Welcome back, Doug. Excellent work.

Is there a stranger in the house?

Nice caboose, but I favor one with more curves.

VERY glad to see you back over here Doug.  As usual, outstanding modeling.

Regards.

Jerry

Glad you're back, Doug. Although I'm not a Santa Fe modeler, that is a REALLY nice project!

Great realism.  Where did you find those trucks.

John that caboose actually came with those trucks. Its a RailKing version but the only difference in that one and all the Premier models I have... are those trucks. All the Premier versions I'm going to swap to Atlas caboose trucks. I may even go with some brass trucks on another version I'm going all out on.

Laidoffsick posted:

John that caboose actually came with those trucks. Its a RailKing version but the only difference in that one and all the Premier models I have... are those trucks. All the Premier versions I'm going to swap to Atlas caboose trucks. 

Welcome back, Doug.  I'm really glad to see you posting here again!

I just made a similar conversion from the "stock" MTH trucks to the new Atlas roller-bearing caboose trucks (with scale-thickness side frames) on the RailKing bay-window caboose pictured below.  It really improves the look of the caboose...the new Atlas trucks are nice!

That's really an awesome project- nice job!! That's what it's all about too-- 

Doug, You and Joe did a great job. The MTH ATSF caboose is a great starting point. Now that you have dressed it up it shines!!!

Malcolm

Very cool!  Where did u get the wig wags?!

Brother_Love posted:

Doug, You and Joe did a great job. The MTH ATSF caboose is a great starting point. Now that you have dressed it up it shines!!!

Malcolm

Thanks Malcolm... coming from the "Caboose King" that means a lot!  The SP caboose you did for me is as good as the PRB ones I bought.

T4TT posted:

Very cool!  Where did u get the wig wags?!

I had someone make them for me, about 200 of them.

Doug,

Drop me an email. I did not see your address, mine is in profile. Thanks, Malcolm

U have 200 wig wags? Clearly you will sell them, right?  So how do i get a few? Email you? 

What can I say, I'm a wig wag hog.

Great project,  that is very nice.

Started another ATSf type caboose. These MTH cabooses strip very easily with 91% isopropyl. My wife's bread container is a perfect fit too  sssshhhh  

After a 15 minute soak, and minimal scrubbing in the cracks and corners, it's down to bare plastic. This one will be more detailed than the other one, and Atlas caboose trucks are on order since this one had those goofy looking trucks from MTH. Oh well, I'm going to make it so it sits lower on the frame as well.

I use a piece of cheese cloth to line the funnel when I pour the alcohol back in the bottle. Removes all the paint chunks and you can use it over and over again.

Great work Doug, good to see you back on the forum.

Doug,

Nice work, really well done.

Kevin 

Great info....looks like a fun project. 

Awesome work, nice to see you posting here again!

The MTH UP CA-1 cabooses is also a very accurate model of this prototype and very easy to convert to 2R by just changing out the wheelsets and retaining the very nice trucks. Also, converting the factory installed lighting to 2R is a snap with no additional parts needed. Both Lionel and MTH have offered some very accurate winners over the years.

Nice to see you back Lazarus.    

Butch

Welcome back Doug, I can now look forward to fallowing you again. You were a great BIG help when I first started swapping to Kadees and I know by watching your new post I will learn even more! Great to see you back!

Doug,

Great project 

Doug,

   Great job on the Caboose, I did not realize your absence had occurred for as long as it had.  I thought you were just woking like I do, and had only so much time to play on the Net, glad to see you posting again!

PCRR/Dave

The ATSF Style 7 wig wag

Doug,

Are you planning to sell any of the wigwags?

Kevin 

and another begins...yes, this caboose was the UP version shown above after it was stripped with isopropyl alcohol.

This one will have Atlas trucks

The end platforms had the double handrails removed, a new full length handrail bent from brass wire, and the holes in the middle will be filled with putty.

New scale smoke jack and steps from Scale City Designs (formerly Keil-Line) and my own wigwag of course. I haven't decided if I will remove the factory plastic steps and use these yet, but they are nice... tread and all.

Window screens..... ugh

Just want to let everyone know that I received a pair of the new Santa Fe Wig-Wags from Doug (laidoffsick).

Very quick shipping (I ordered last Friday and they arrived today), extra information was included for correct placement and additional information about adding even more details if you wish.

Now all I need is a Santa Fe Caboose to add them to.

Thanks for the effort Doug.

Charlie

I have these two very old brass ATSF cabooses I am repainting and decaling and the  wig wags will be perfect.

Are those Lobaugh or Max Gray cabs Ron?

Laidoffsick posted:

Are those Lobaugh or Max Gray cabs Ron?

Doug, I don't know. Bought these about two years ago off EBay. As I started working on the brown one I found out it seems to be mostly wood with metal parts. I removed the steps to put in Keil line steps and on closer inspection found it to be wooden. Maybe old Ambroid kits ? Doesn't matter cause I got them for about $60 and they will turn out well. I've got an unbuilt Lobaugh brass kit to build later. 

Still waiting for the Tomar LED markers to show up, then I will put it back together. In the meantime, I will apply the decals and some detail painting. Nice thing about Scalecoat II paint is it leaves a nice glossy finish, perfect for applying decals.

I added cut levers and air hoses to the end platforms, and bent new handrails to go all the way across instead of having the hole in the middle for the brakeman to fall off the end. We know he's been drinking in his bunk so I don't want him to trip out the door and fall off the train.