"Shorty" Caboose - 1
J
ack Oesterle of The Missouri Pacific Historical Society
asked me for an article on how to build an inexpensive ver-
sion of MP's short bay-window caboose. I have made three
of these and this version uses Athearn and Life-Like parts along
with other detailing parts. It's a freelanced design inspired by
various similar MP prototype designs.
Most of us cannot afford brass, and although the Rail Yard
Models version is a beautiful model (this company is out of
Don't have the money for a brass
caboose? Here's an easy “make your
own” project ...
Freelancing a Missouri Pacific
“Shorty” Caboose
– Dirk Reynolds
Model Photos by the author
business), the handrail superstructure can be hard to build. An
etched version is available but it looks like flat steel and that
is NOT prototypical. The Bluford is $49.95, but at this time it is
sold out.
Certain steps take special care, so as to not screw up the
model. I will cover them as they come up. Let’s get started!
1: This is what I start with but most of this will not be
used. Discard the Athearn caboose ladders, caboose
vent, walkway, sheet metal weight, and just keep the
ends of the Life-Like caboose.
1
MRH-Jun 2013
