Photo album for this build, at least until I get this properly sorted:Photo album for this build, at least until I get this properly sorted:
http://imgur.com/a/JIgNt

This is my first time working with O scale trains. The kit I'm starting with is by M.T.H. Electric Trains. In their Premier series, Bay Wndow Caboose, kit No. 20-91436.



This is what I'm going for as the final result.
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1564106

If you click on it then you'll see it's almost there already, sort of . . .


I started right away with disassembly and removal of parts that won't be used; roof walk way and ladders. ..



...And cut away the roof ends. Both end walls were also carefully cut and removed for relocation later.

During progress of this project, I'll need to dry fit and take apart this model many times for my style of eye-ball-building-accuracy. I glued in plastic strips to set the correct depth and position of the bed part.


Those CC sent in junk-mail ads were sliced up for this strip material.


They were glued in place with CA through the opening for the bay windows while I was holding it together with my hand.


After that was done, I can now carefully cut the bosses off for relocation later. They are marked and ID'd for correct positioning


Photo album for this build, at least until I get this properly sorted:Photo album for this build, at least until I get this properly sorted:
http://imgur.com/a/JIgNt

thanks for looking ….

Photo album for this build, at least until I get this properly sorted:Photo album for this build, at least until I get this properly sorted:
http://imgur.com/a/JIgNt


Main body cuts made. Putty on the roof where the roof walk part was attached. Window openings and various gaps filled and covered with styrene


More of that junk mail CC material is used to cover the obtuse cut-outs along the bottom skirt


I used CA to glue this material in. Putty and sanding will be needed


Photo album for this build, at least until I get this properly sorted:Photo album for this build, at least until I get this properly sorted:
http://imgur.com/a/JIgNt

Interesting conversion.

Jim

This is good stuff! I'm following this one. How did you switch to O though?
Thanks for sharing.
Cheers!
-Sean H

Thanks for looking in, Jim

Sean, Thanks for your interest as well.
What do you mean switch to O ? My RXR building interest into O ?

Yes, I thought your previous work was in HO. What changed your mind?

Hi Sean, sorry for delays in reply but I don't have interwebs at work.

You're right, I like HO scale but I want to participate in an event this year which will have a rolling O scale train there. Each car will be entrants in the model contest/show at this event.

Steel Wheels past shows:
http://steelwheelsonline.com/swshow.html
http://steelwheelsonline.com

There is a window on this one side of the caboose that I added using the measure, mark, drill the corners, then cut it out - method


pilot holes first. Notice the obtuse angled gaps are filled along the bottom of the skirt on both sides.



holes drilled now I will cut this out with a razor saw then shape the corners.


The kerf of the blade that I used to cut out these end wall pieces are shimmed with styrene at just the right thickness. These end wall parts were glued back into place further into the cab, prototypically.

Now working on the bottom and repositioning the bosses further inland. When I build 1/24-1/25 car and 1/35 tank models I usually build them 'curbside', so this is how I'll build the caboose. I rearranged certain details that will be visible from the sides only



I switched the sides of the air tank and removed one of the (equipment bins?) for use later

Since the end walls needed to be moved further into the cab, the bosses also need to be repositioned.


The new holes will be drilled where I can use a screwdriver while the trucks are installed. These locations were found, measured and marked . . .


. . . Then drilled with a 1/8" bit


The bosses were then screwed into place following the positions that I marked earlier before removing. A ball of epoxy putty was stuck to all four tops of these. Then the cab body was squished into final position over these


The spacers are from the end walk parts that I cut these from.


Epoxy putty secures the new locations. I added more once the first batch cured


Now that the end walls and bosses were relocated, the floor of the frame is exposed revealing the old screw holes and screw for the trucks. I'm working on this now . . .

thanks for looking

Nice work. I really like your conversion.

Jim

Thanks, Jim. The floor parts were glued to the bottom of the end walls, 1 on both sides. This enables the assembly and disassembly to access the screws for the trucks.

I'm working on the 4 upright supports made from steel angle. These are on both sides. They'll be glued under the over-hang of the roof and down on the new floor parts.

I don't like the look of the flat floor. The prototype has a grip grating floor so I similarly replicated this by using the roof walk grating part that I removed earlier.




cuts in the miter box


The amount of material only gave me this much for both sides but it's a much better look. It is the exact thickness as the two end walkway parts so the fit was perfect.

I've already started work on the uprights using styrene angle strips. The rails that were removed earlier were also reinstalled

Excellent so far. I like how it's turning out.
-Sean

Thanks for checkin in on my build. This project has been working out just the way I wanted it to

There are objects on each end of the caboose. One looks like a storage bin and the other looks like a fuel tank. I'll make these from material cut from the kit


The storage bin (fire fighting equipment bin?) I cut from the bottom piece earlier


Fuel tank parts being fabricated from the roof parts cut off earlier

All the mods are done now and the model will be under a coat of primer shortly.


Detail shot of the fuel tank ? on this end


Detail shot of the storage bin? on this end

Nicely done!

Jim

Thanks for looking in, Jim

love the detailed work -turned out a wonderful model

Thanks for your compliment.

As I expected, the primer shows a few missed spots and scratches that need attention. That's what primer is for

UP, and specifically, UP 25831

I almost forgot the pulley system for the (power generator?)

This was made with parts from the parts box including cassette tape cartridge parts, a 1/72 tank road wheel and other parts I don't remember where they are from.

This will be non-op and just for looks

That's coming together very nicely ... looking really good in primer. Nice job!

—mike