Kitbashed/custom transfer caboose/shoving platform

[NYSW F45]

I had posted a few pics in the weekend thread. But I figured this needs it's own showing off thread.

Week 1

Started my first ever custom job/bashing if you will. I've wanted to do a shoving platform for the last few weeks. But at the time didn't know where to start till I ordered 2 blue box bay window cabooses. My plan originally was to find a flat car and just put the caboose body on top. It wan't till i got the caboose and a flat car that I noticed the caboose was a lil to narrow. I didn't want to get into hacking the caboose in half or the flat. So I started looking at more pics and decided to hack the caboose shell into pieces and use 3 of the pieces. When this was done i'de have to modify the frame to accept the little locking piece and part of the outer shell. Did that and test fit the body. Everything works and fits pretty good. But now comes the hard part for me. Getting the green putty/filler in to fix the gaps from cutting it up. I used an exacto miter box and small clamps but couldn't keep it straight.

Here's some pics
What it started out as.

What it ended up becoming (used 2 strips of styrene inside to hold the 3 sections together)

Modified frame (cut off toolbox and filled it in, made new mounting hole for body)

And now partially finished project. I still need to cut the lead weight up to fit it under the body shell.

 

[NYSW F45]

Week 2

I rather post this update in a different reply instead of everything in 1 post. Here is what i've been upto since the end of last week. Didn't get as much done as I had hoped for. I drove up to the Model railway post office in west milford,nj (one of the best shops in NJ that i've been too). Picked up some more CA glue, hand rail stancions, and A-line 1/4 individual weights to add to the center. I didn't want to get a sheet of weight since I didn't want ot have to trim to fit and the individual ones I can place wherever and stack'em.

So with that said he's some pics showing the brief work. Lots of sanding and shaving of plastic. Shaved off alot of the contours from the roof leaving only the thin individaul supports and sanded smooth. Shaved and sanded off the rivets on the outside of the shell. Wanted that clean more modern/rebuilt look. I still will probably do the same for the end's themselves. Frame had the holes that wont be used filled and entire frame sanded smooth. I still need to fill in some minor holes where I patched the frame up with styrene. I want this model to look perfect as if it was factory made (im very anal about stuff like that)
Anway here's the pics.

Caboose all sanded up

Roof detail, shows whats been shaved and the joints from all 3 sections

Patched frame/walkway's.

Notched frame supports for where shell now clicks into place

I'll have some more pics later showing the frame all sanded smooth and what not. Maybe a brief shot of it fully assembled before it goes into the body shop for some paint, walkway tread plate, frame stiffening.

 

[jbaakko]

Sweet deal looking good, though I hope you're going to sand that with some finer sand paper!

 

[suprduc]

Looking really good so far, keep it up.

 

[NYSW F45]

josh the pics make it look like its really rough. Trust me its not. The flash kinda exagerates it alot. It's very smooth, no gouging of the plastic.

 

[jbaakko]

Ahhh, didn't think of that! Just be glad you're not shooting with a Macro lens, it'd look even worse then! Or are you?

 

[NYSW F45]

no macro lens.

Anyway, im off to the mrpo in hopes they have tread plate for the decking and the other stuff i've ordered from my kitbashing of a IHC passenger car.

 

[NYSW F45]

Should have some more work done tomorrow. I picked up some brass rod to make the handrails. Smokey valley products brass stancions (from a gp40 kit) and clear evergreen plastic to make the windows for the caboose.

Today at the greenburg train show here in NJ i kinda got lucky i think. Was going thru a dealers detailing parts and found some caboose parts. Only picked up 2 things, Details west brass etched caboose antenna and DW brass etched end platforms and steps. So hopefully the Cannon and co. saftey tread stock sheet will come in so I can finish the rest of the platform.

Im going to notch the frame where the brass stancions will go. I want them to sit flush with the frame. I'll then add some green putty and sand it smooth so it it looks like its part of the frame. Once most of this is done i'll end up primering it, if I ever find where I put the paint.