(Pictures) How About a Sunset DRGW Caboose for the upcoming Sunset DRGW L-131 Steam Engine

I would like to see Sunset do the Ant. version.  Had just tried to email Scott the other day, but had a bad email address in my phone I guess as it came back undelivered.  I am sending an email today as this reminded me.  Bruce in Mt. Airy, MD  

Since starting this post I have been able to buy a "red" steam era brass model.   With the Sunset L-131 delivery coming up soon, I'm still looking for a "black" steam era version.  Only seen one black one on eBay since posting.  Sold for a small fortune.  Scarce as hen's teeth.  After modelling UP for a long time with lots of stuff to choose from - I'm finding that modelling Grande standard gauge is a tough proposition. 

I asked Scott to consider building one at about the same time I started this post - like he did a while back with the Anniversary Series Yellowstone -- with caboose.  Got a very nice reply - as always -  essentially stating in so many words that the business case for doing one was just not there at the time.  I'm just thankful that he's doing the L-131. 

Erik,

Would you please post a photo of the underframe and end of the 01457 with the antenna. I may have found a new project ;>.

Thank you, Malcolm

Malcolm.  Hot Water actually suggested this way back on 10/29/14.  

If you choose to do one I will be very interested depending on which caboose you choose to produce - clearly one that will be at home behind the L-131 and in black for me.   I know it will be really well done having followed your projects.    

Bill

Malcolm,

I too would be in for a couple of the rio grande cabooses...  welded or riveted, but plated over windows similar to what you see here. A riveted version would really pop!

Guys,

As always, decals will be the "kicker", I am checking sources now and will let you know. I love the one with the antenna. I want one of those myself.

Malcolm

Guys, I have located decals for the orange/silver version and the all orange with black lettering. It is a no-go on the black one so far. Is the lettering on the black cab white or silver?

Thanks, Malcolm

Malcolm,  I took a quick look at my books and mags and found numerous color pictures of black Grande 1300 and 1400 series cabeese in back issues of "The Prospector"  (RGM&HS magazine) and in a couple of books.  All the black ones in the pics had white lettering and the radio equipped black ones had two yellow stripes.

But, don't take it from me.   Suggest you contact the Rio Grande Modelling and Historical Society and maybe you could find an expert.  There is a whole series of articles over a period of time in several Prospector issues covering the topic and the complexities of the variations over time for the various caboose models. 

http://www.drgw.org/

And Utah Rails is a good source.

http://utahrails.net/drgw/rg-cabooses-index.php

And L-131 locomotive had a long life as shown in the link.

http://www.drgw.net/info/L-131

Bill

Malcolm, Trying to contact you off forum with no luck about this possible project. Please contact me at burrett@comcast.net

Thanks, Sorry to the forum ... but I want one of these cabooses.    Bruce in Mount Airy, MD

Here's a photo out of one of my reference books.  Not sure I'd want all that experimental antenna stuff.  Perhaps later with the production antenna. But, it does show the L-131 with a black two stripe caboose.  FWiW  Bill

Starting the pilot model for this one tomorrow along with a LIRR and a few Union cabs too.

That's neat Malcolm! 

This entire series of cabeese are very popular a sure seller for Sunset. Do you need any close up photos of the Division Point/Joint Line versions both built by WBM? Jack did a run 1987/1988 black boxes and later with Joint Line 1999 a combined project with Theo Berlyn (BLW). I have them all; there are about 7-8 versions. Don't forget about the wood cabeese that both JntL did and PFM 

The antenna was not quite an experiment by the literal term but used for some time. Obviously they found better means later on. The brass model's antenna is not that fragile if anything on the 3 I have I've inadvertently whacked it once or twice and a simple slight wiggle of the brass and it's back in line. Doing this antenna is anything other than soft malleable brass would be a recipe in a broken antenna. 

Thanks Erik! If Sunset is offering them I will not. They are going to be a bear to build with all those rivets. They probably were a bear to build in the prototype with all those rivets too!!!!

Brother_Love posted:

Thanks Erik! If Sunset is offering them I will not. They are going to be a bear to build with all those rivets. They probably were a bear to build in the prototype with all those rivets too!!!!

Seems like the prospect of doing lots of rivets on a rail car model has become a lot easier with the advent of Archer Transfers surface detail decals....

Archer O Scale Link

While I haven't tried them myself, we (LHS) have sold these in HO size to a couple customers who are very pleased with the effect...as well as the simplicity of application.

FWIW, always...

KD

Brother_Love posted:

Thanks Erik! If Sunset is offering them I will not. They are going to be a bear to build with all those rivets. They probably were a bear to build in the prototype with all those rivets too!!!!

Sunset has no plans to offer D&RGW cabooses at this time.

The market is somewhat satisfied and saturated with these cars. Sunset would be better focused on some other project than these. A model that has been covered well in the past by several different importers. I would not order any; I have 15-18 of them. 

Opinion 

Norm posted:

I wish that Scott would have offered an early PRR cabin car to go with the L1 Mikado.  Even if made to order,quite a few would have sold.  There have been few quality Pennsy cabin cars of late

Norm

PRR brass cabooses/cabin cars (NO SUCH THING AS CABEESE)

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/cabeese

are relatively easy to find.

You might want to search for "cabin car"

Simon

Good lord Simon; can't take a joke???  Smile a little 

"

PRR brass cabooses/cabin cars (NO SUCH THING AS CABEESE)

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/cabeese

are relatively east to find.

You might want to search for "cabin car"

Simon"

East to find?

One side done this morning.

Marvelous Malcolm 

You sir, do indeed build some amazing CABEESE

dkdkrd posted:

Seems like the prospect of doing lots of rivets on a rail car model has become a lot easier with the advent of Archer Transfers surface detail decals....

Archer O Scale Link

While I haven't tried them myself, we (LHS) have sold these in HO size to a couple customers who are very pleased with the effect...as well as the simplicity of application.

They are excellent.

Malcolm,  I would be interested in two of these beauties, would even go for one welded version, save on the rivets!    modern, some plated windows

Malcolm.  Excellent start.

I talked with Scott several times on email during his L-131 project.  He told me he had no plans at that time to do a Grande caboose.

Below are a couple of quick photos out of the RGH&TS Prospector Magazine.  You probably have better info.  But, just in case they might help. FWIW I'd prefer a 1400 series black version for sure.  With or without the two stripes denoting radio equipped and with or without the induction antenna if two stripes and radio equipped.  Slight preference for two stripe without the induction antenna.  If you do a black 1400 series, please sign me up for one.  Thanks. 

Ref.  Erik's statement "the market is somewhat satisfied,"  He's the pro on this.  All I can say is I've been looking for an accurate  black one for two years, with or without radio stripes and induction antenna  and have missed out either because they sell so fast or sell for prices I don't care to meet - way above the expected range that other roads like UP and SP and PRR, etc.  brass cabeese sell for.  

Bill