CP Rail bay window transfer caboose scratch bash
Jan 13, 2019 9:21:15 GMT -8
valenciajim, riogrande, and 15 more like this
Post by sd40dash2 on Jan 13, 2019 9:21:15 GMT -8
CP built three (3) all-new steel bay window cabooses at their famed Angus Shops in 1948. CP's first all-steel cabooses, they were numbered CP 437265, 437266 and 437267. They spent their lives in various yard and transfer assignments across the country until all three were retired by 1990. CP 437266 is now preserved in the Champion Park in Okotoks, Alberta and currently restored with 1960s era CPR script lettering.
CP 437267 is similar to 437266 but in this 1974 photo it lacks the distinctive roof-mounted diesel fuel tank.
Prototype photo:
www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=33284
Unfortunately, there are no existing models in our hobby that accurately replicate the CP caboose in HO scale. The RTR plastic bay window models offered by Athearn and Walthers have been released in CP paint through the years but are not accurately configured for CP. The CP bay window caboose was never made in brass either, so those individuals desiring an accurate model of this unique caboose either have to accept a stand-in or build their own.
I chose to build a model of 437266 as it appeared in its final CP service years between 1981 and 1990. This includes a distinctive diesel fuel tank (for heating) mounted to the roof, Sinclair antenna, H-style smoke jack, no storm doors, retainer valve and line mounted to one end wall, running boards and end ladder rungs removed, original coil spring trucks and the CP Rail action yellow with multimark paint scheme.
The body was scratch built from sheet styrene and made to fit on an old Athearn blue box bay window caboose frame. Panel line, door and window locations and dimensions and measurements were estimated and calculated from prototype photos as prototype drawings could not be located. Rivet lines were made with Micromark raised surface decals and installed prior to painting.
The prototype featured a narrow version of the rectangular panel Murphy roof that was typical for boxcars in use at the time. The closest part I could find (Intermountain 1937 AAR 40' boxcar rectangular panel Murphy roof part #P40700-6A) was modified to match the underframe length.
The underframe was extensively modified and detailed using Intermountain brake components (1937 AAR boxcar underbody detail set part #P40700-18A) and various shapes of wire and styrene. Only the bolsters and coupler pockets were kept from the original Athearn center-sill and cross-member part – all other sections discarded. The underframe is attached to the body with two 2-56 screws in opposite corners (visible here just under the top right wheel).
End platforms and steps were built with Plano (#454) parts and styrene while remaining details include Miniatures by Eric Ajax brake wheel stands (#B24) and various other formed styrene and wire parts.
Paint was True Line Trains CP Action Yellow and decals are Highball Graphics CP Rail 1968-1990 caboose decals (item #F-283). Weight, coupler height and wheel gauge all match NMRA specifications.
Disclosure: Compromise was accepted in that the overall length and width of the model do not exactly match those of the CP prototype (prototype length was 36.75’ over strikers versus Athearn underframe 39’) in order to save the additional effort of scratch building the roof and underframe. The Intermountain roof has the correct number of panels but all are slightly wider and longer than the CP caboose. There is also no interior furniture, sound or lighting in this model.
Total model build time was six (6) months (July 2018-January 2019).
Prototype photo:
www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=33284
Unfortunately, there are no existing models in our hobby that accurately replicate the CP caboose in HO scale. The RTR plastic bay window models offered by Athearn and Walthers have been released in CP paint through the years but are not accurately configured for CP. The CP bay window caboose was never made in brass either, so those individuals desiring an accurate model of this unique caboose either have to accept a stand-in or build their own.
I chose to build a model of 437266 as it appeared in its final CP service years between 1981 and 1990. This includes a distinctive diesel fuel tank (for heating) mounted to the roof, Sinclair antenna, H-style smoke jack, no storm doors, retainer valve and line mounted to one end wall, running boards and end ladder rungs removed, original coil spring trucks and the CP Rail action yellow with multimark paint scheme.
The body was scratch built from sheet styrene and made to fit on an old Athearn blue box bay window caboose frame. Panel line, door and window locations and dimensions and measurements were estimated and calculated from prototype photos as prototype drawings could not be located. Rivet lines were made with Micromark raised surface decals and installed prior to painting.
The prototype featured a narrow version of the rectangular panel Murphy roof that was typical for boxcars in use at the time. The closest part I could find (Intermountain 1937 AAR 40' boxcar rectangular panel Murphy roof part #P40700-6A) was modified to match the underframe length.
The underframe was extensively modified and detailed using Intermountain brake components (1937 AAR boxcar underbody detail set part #P40700-18A) and various shapes of wire and styrene. Only the bolsters and coupler pockets were kept from the original Athearn center-sill and cross-member part – all other sections discarded. The underframe is attached to the body with two 2-56 screws in opposite corners (visible here just under the top right wheel).
End platforms and steps were built with Plano (#454) parts and styrene while remaining details include Miniatures by Eric Ajax brake wheel stands (#B24) and various other formed styrene and wire parts.
Paint was True Line Trains CP Action Yellow and decals are Highball Graphics CP Rail 1968-1990 caboose decals (item #F-283). Weight, coupler height and wheel gauge all match NMRA specifications.
Disclosure: Compromise was accepted in that the overall length and width of the model do not exactly match those of the CP prototype (prototype length was 36.75’ over strikers versus Athearn underframe 39’) in order to save the additional effort of scratch building the roof and underframe. The Intermountain roof has the correct number of panels but all are slightly wider and longer than the CP caboose. There is also no interior furniture, sound or lighting in this model.
Total model build time was six (6) months (July 2018-January 2019).
