Chessie System C27A bay window caboose scratch bash
Jan 21, 2019 16:11:26 GMT -8
cf7, csx3305, and 10 more like this
Post by sd40dash2 on Jan 21, 2019 16:11:26 GMT -8
In 1980, Fruit Growers Express (FGE) of Alexandria, Virginia USA built 160 C27A bay window cabooses for Chessie System. These cabooses were assigned to both B&O and C&O and were painted standard Chessie yellow with a large safety cross logo on the right side. Chessie C27A cars came in two number groups; 94 cars numbered 904000-904093 for B&O and 66 cars numbered 904094-904159 for C&O. A few of these cars remain in use on CSX today as shoving platforms, but in dwindling numbers. Search YouTube for videos showing some examples still in use in varying conditions and paint schemes. (Prototype info courtesy of "Steel Cabooses of the Chesapeake and Ohio 1937-1987" by Dwight Jones C&OHS)
Screenshot of circa-1993 B&O 904040 from Flickr user “Andrew”:
www.flickr.com/photos/8348059@N02/8512378994
In August 2018, I was inspired by an excellent series of 15 YouTube videos (see complete list of links in the table below) posted by Daniel Arnold showing how he built a stunning 2009-era model of CSX 903985. While not an exact match, my kit bash generally followed Dan's steps with a few of my own adaptations and omissions. My weathering is nowhere near as extensive so as to replicate a late-1990s version of the car versus what the cars look like today.
The starting point was a Walthers Mainline International Bay Window Caboose, factory painted and lettered for Missouri Pacific under part number 910-8656. This model is from Walthers' budget-friendly "Mainline" series of cars that has very little fine detailing but good bones for modifications. Dan started with a similar version of these cars and a well-timed Walthers sale confirmed this model would make the best starting point for my customization effort. The basic Walthers model has numerous features that do not match the Chessie cars, so Dan's videos along with prototype photos provided a lot of guidance in determining what needed to be done to upgrade it.
Incorrect windows were filled and covered and new ones were cut. Most were covered over with FRA safety screens. This screening was made with Scale Scenics walkway tread, though Dan suggested brass coffee filter material that also appeared in the videos to work quite well.
The roof was modified by relocating both the bathroom vent and smoke jack and adding an antenna plus smoke jack supports. Roof surface and edges were weathered using a wash mix of grimy black and burnt umber. Rust spots were dabbed in place with a small brush and homemade rust blend.
Underframe detailing was fairly extensive and generally followed the steps outlined in Dan's videos. Battery box and ash pans were made from leftover material bits and brake lines were made from brass wire. Steps and platforms were completely rebuilt using Plano #454 parts and styrene. Future caboose projects will use Moloco coupler pockets for more realism.
End railings were highly-customized as well, with the addition of a top styrene filler piece, chain, Kadee modern brake wheel, backup whistle, retainer valve, marker light, reflective decals, road number, air hose, uncoupling lever and other bits of styrene and wire.
Disclosure: Chessie C27A fans may notice there are a few mistakes on this model as compared to the prototype. The first mistake was installing the bay window side angled screen rails before painting and as a result there was insufficient room left for the required "B&O" lettering along the top. Secondly, there are apparently no large safety cross decals available so I substituted with the incorrect smaller ones from Microscale decal set 87-790. Road number 904050 was randomly chosen from the B&O C27A range and the weathering was also not patterned from a specific caboose. Interior details are limited to one cabinet, seat and stove. This model does not have DCC, sound or electrical pickup. Other mistakes may appear as well, so please enjoy this build as a best-effort.
My total build time was six (6) months (August 2018-January 2019).
For complete Chessie C27A model build details, see the following video links by Dan -- note there was no “Part 2” video:
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Introduction.
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 1. Dissembly & Rebuild!
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 3. Rebuilding Stage.
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 4. Rebuilding & Details
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 5. Filling, And Priming
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 6. Painting!
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 7. Painting!
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 8. Decals!
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 9, Weathering!
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 10, Weathering!
14:44 **HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 11. Weathering!
14:44 **HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 12. Final Touches!
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 13. Final Touches!
Model Project Update! 8-18-18, Part 2 of 2 (903985 again featured from 3:01-4:49)
HO Caboose Kitbash (original 2013 build later lost in a flood, thus the 2018 rebuild)
Screenshot of circa-1993 B&O 904040 from Flickr user “Andrew”:
www.flickr.com/photos/8348059@N02/8512378994
In August 2018, I was inspired by an excellent series of 15 YouTube videos (see complete list of links in the table below) posted by Daniel Arnold showing how he built a stunning 2009-era model of CSX 903985. While not an exact match, my kit bash generally followed Dan's steps with a few of my own adaptations and omissions. My weathering is nowhere near as extensive so as to replicate a late-1990s version of the car versus what the cars look like today.
The starting point was a Walthers Mainline International Bay Window Caboose, factory painted and lettered for Missouri Pacific under part number 910-8656. This model is from Walthers' budget-friendly "Mainline" series of cars that has very little fine detailing but good bones for modifications. Dan started with a similar version of these cars and a well-timed Walthers sale confirmed this model would make the best starting point for my customization effort. The basic Walthers model has numerous features that do not match the Chessie cars, so Dan's videos along with prototype photos provided a lot of guidance in determining what needed to be done to upgrade it.
Incorrect windows were filled and covered and new ones were cut. Most were covered over with FRA safety screens. This screening was made with Scale Scenics walkway tread, though Dan suggested brass coffee filter material that also appeared in the videos to work quite well.
The roof was modified by relocating both the bathroom vent and smoke jack and adding an antenna plus smoke jack supports. Roof surface and edges were weathered using a wash mix of grimy black and burnt umber. Rust spots were dabbed in place with a small brush and homemade rust blend.
Underframe detailing was fairly extensive and generally followed the steps outlined in Dan's videos. Battery box and ash pans were made from leftover material bits and brake lines were made from brass wire. Steps and platforms were completely rebuilt using Plano #454 parts and styrene. Future caboose projects will use Moloco coupler pockets for more realism.
End railings were highly-customized as well, with the addition of a top styrene filler piece, chain, Kadee modern brake wheel, backup whistle, retainer valve, marker light, reflective decals, road number, air hose, uncoupling lever and other bits of styrene and wire.
Disclosure: Chessie C27A fans may notice there are a few mistakes on this model as compared to the prototype. The first mistake was installing the bay window side angled screen rails before painting and as a result there was insufficient room left for the required "B&O" lettering along the top. Secondly, there are apparently no large safety cross decals available so I substituted with the incorrect smaller ones from Microscale decal set 87-790. Road number 904050 was randomly chosen from the B&O C27A range and the weathering was also not patterned from a specific caboose. Interior details are limited to one cabinet, seat and stove. This model does not have DCC, sound or electrical pickup. Other mistakes may appear as well, so please enjoy this build as a best-effort.
My total build time was six (6) months (August 2018-January 2019).
For complete Chessie C27A model build details, see the following video links by Dan -- note there was no “Part 2” video:
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Introduction.
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 1. Dissembly & Rebuild!
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 3. Rebuilding Stage.
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 4. Rebuilding & Details
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 5. Filling, And Priming
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 6. Painting!
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 7. Painting!
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 8. Decals!
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 9, Weathering!
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 10, Weathering!
14:44 **HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 11. Weathering!
14:44 **HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 12. Final Touches!
**HOW TO** HO Scale C27A B&O Caboose Kitbash! Part 13. Final Touches!
Model Project Update! 8-18-18, Part 2 of 2 (903985 again featured from 3:01-4:49)
HO Caboose Kitbash (original 2013 build later lost in a flood, thus the 2018 rebuild)