Ron I picked up this clunker on EBay a couple weeks ago. A little clean up and paint.... I think it will come out just fine. I don't know if those are original trucks or not.
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Great work Doug, I like how its turning out!
OK, wat was the value to the ATSF of putting wigwags on the top of vans, cabin cars, cabooses.....?
The value? Original cost was $500 per caboose 
What they used for? Before radios they were used as a way to communicate with the head end of the train. They would crank them into position, to the outside of the cupola, and using a knife switch inside the cupola, use the battery powered red or white light. For example; it would let the crew know of a set/release of the air brakes had reached the rear end of the train, or that the rear of the train was in the clear after pulling into a siding.
Nice job Doug!. When I get home I will buy the Wig wags as well
Doug,
That old Max Gray caboose is outstanding I think. The trucks are a real plus. When painted it will be a beaut!
Ron
Really awesome work! Can't wait to see everything assembled.
Things are coming together.......
The Atlas trucks are wired in with a plug in order to separate the frame from the interior of the caboose
A lighting module is wired in to control the LED strip, and plugs to unhook everything when taking the caboose apart.
A short LED strip is glued to the roof, along with the wiring for the Tomar LED markers.
LEDS are tested, and dimmed down to the lowest setting to simulate a soft, warm glow from the conductors desk lamp in the center of the caboose.
Assembly completed, and windows taped off.
This particular paint scheme has all the handrails, grabs, ladders, trucks, under frame, smoke jack, and brake stands black.
It's off to the paint shop for a gloss coat to cover the decals, a Dullcote, and then weathering to finish it up.
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Can't wait to see the finished cab! It is awesome now!
Looks great Doug, are the led's from a roll, or a strip and where did you get them from? Also can you tell me about the lighting control?
Thank you Malcolm.
Mike the LED strip is from a roll. I have a lot of scraps from other projects but you can find them on EBay or Amazon pretty cheap. Just have to choose a color (temp), I think these are warm white, 2800k or 3000k.
The lighting module is made by GunRunnerJohn. I've used several of them in the past for passenger cars and cabooses that I have done. All the work is done for you, as far as the board. You just solder the track power "in" and the DC "out" to the LEDs. It's DCS friendly, built in cap so the lights don't flicker, and adjustable so you can turn the lights up or down. As I stated I turned them all the way down for a very soft glow. You could also use a longer strip but it has to be multiples of three, based on the way the strips are made. This module will be hidden even tough it's in the interior, because of it's location behind a wall, and I have screens on the bottom portion of the windows. In the past I have completely blacked them out by painting right over the top of them after all the wires were connected.
Thanks for the information Doug, It looks like I will be contacting GunRunnerJohn for some boards. I just love how everyone here is full of so much information!
Gonna call this one a wrap!
started with this:
and some how ended up with a brown one
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do you have a source for the marker lights you added, thanks
wb47 posted:do you have a source for the marker lights you added, thanks
They look like Tomar Industries illuminated markers.
Excellent work, Doug! It really turned out nice. And thanks for taking the time to share the details with us.
Yes they are....
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Doug,
Superb!
Ron
Laidoffsick posted:Yes they are....
Thanks for the help, I would like to try to replace the bulbous "marker lights" that came on a Lionel caboose.
Very Impressive Doug, Seams like everything you do turns out great looking! Bravo!
Doug,
That caboose is fabulous! Great, great job!
Malcolm
fantastic job!
Hey Doug, bringing back an oldie but goodie.
Did you purchase or make the under body tool boxes for the MTH version of the caboose? If purchased, where or who from?
im getting ready to start this project and I'm in the gathering phase.
Charlie
Not only is the caboose spectacular, but also gorgeous rocks and track! Nice work!
Charlie the floor and shell are stock. I didn't add or alter the floor in any way except for the purpose of lowering it.
DOug
GRETA thread and outstanding results. I will be orderng a few sets of the Tomar marker lights real soon
thanks for posting
Steve
Thanks for the information Doug, did not see your response earlier.
Hopefully, I can get close to the same result as you.
Charlie
Charlie;
Santa Fe steam era way cars had tool lockers on both sides. You could "borrow" one from another MTH car or build one (wood and styrene work). I haven't been able to find one as a commercial part.
Allan
You have pictured so many well done aspects in your scene. The scenery, the weathering and of course the fine looking caboose are really amazing.
I was curious as to what the orange discs up on the cupola are for. Added visibility?
Again, all around great modeling!
Tom
