Caboose 556

Several customers have reached out to me to ask what truck I would supply with the caboose kit. I had thought I would supply my freight truck, even though it would not be correct. I then chewed on the idea of modifying a 1:20.3 Accucraft J&S truck. Biggest problem is the wheel base. The Accu J&S is a 5' wheelbase truck that scales to roughly 3" in 1:20.3. The Maine 2' trucks, also built by J&S, have a 4' wheelbase which scales to 3-1/2" in 1:13.7. So no matter what I came up with, the trucks are just too small. So I fired up my 3D software and started drawing. This is what I came up with. Sort of a cross between the J&S truck built for the D&RG and a compilation of different Maine trucks as no two are identical. Some of my thoughts are for ease of assembly and steel lasering of those parts. I love freelancing as there is no correct or incorrect outcome.

I'm already receiving parts for the trucks. I have the laser cut steel. Have it cleaned up and partially assembled.

I still have a number of brass masters being printed at Shapeways for white metal spin casting molds. So a work in progress. I'm using the same wheels and journal boxes with ball bearings I use with the freight trucks. Feedback I'm receiving about my freight truck is they "blow away" the competition. I suspect these will as well. Both in cost and performance!!

3-30-2021 Update

Trucks are coming together. I'm waiting on a couple more brass masters to get printed and shipped to me before I make up a white metal spin casting mold. To that end, the spring cups in the above picture are brass and not blackened, weathered white metal. But you can see, I'm getting close to wrapping up the design faze of the trucks so I can move them into production and get back to the laser CAD for the caboose. Parts include the lasered steel frame, white metal pedestal fronts that bolt to the frame, diecast journal boxes with white metal lids, steel wheels, 3D printed non functional leaf spring assembly and wood bolster and spring planks. I'm awaiting the non functional swing motion assembly and bolster pads that would limit the car rocking.            Phil

4-26-2021 Update

I finally received the brass masters for the fake swing motion parts. I made up a spin casting mold and cast those parts. This is my freelanced version of a 7/8ths scale Maine 2' passenger truck. Like everything else I build, I lean more towards operations and a robust product verses an expensive, museum quality mantle piece. My thanks to Jim Coplan and Mike Mueller for providing pictures of the prototypes from angles and clarity I didn't get while visiting Maine back in 2016.

On to the actual caboose.

Update; 3-20-2022

All windows are 3D printed plastic with 1/16" thick Lexon "glass".

The steps are 3D printed plastic.

Figure is 3D printed and not included with kit.

Smoke stack cap is 3D printed plastic.

Stove is 3D printed plastic included with the kit. Figures are not.

3D printed figure is not included with kit.

3D printed figure is not included with the kit.

Doors are hinged and open. You can see the spring that closes the door on the left side. Doors are 3D printed plastic.

3D printed figure is not included with the kit.

So, this is the first cut. As I said, many parts got hand made to fit verses lasered. I also had to make corrections to the frame. A fair amount of things to fix before the second cut. If it goes together well, the third cut will be with instructions and I can commence production.

February 12, 2023

I'm well into the second cut. Fixing lots of issues I had to correct with the first cut. I have the body including the cupola finished as well as the interior. Been taking pictures as I go. Up to 76 pictures so far. This kit is far more intensive than the others. Hoping to have the roof structure finished in the next few days. Then the underbody and finishing trim. Adding the "tiles" to the roof and then the catwalks. I'm making parts as I go which adds a lot of time to the process. Wild guess, for you the kit builder, this kit is going to take you a couple of weeks depending on how much hobby time you have each day. Almost every part needs to be painted and then time for glue to dry.

November 5, 2023

Kits are in production. As of this date, 3-5-24, I have shipped 4 kits and working on the next 4. Price of the kit is $600 plus shipping. Below are the instructions in two parts. Both have been update as of 3-5-34. If you've downloaded them before this date, you may want to update your files.

PNG-784 SR&RL Caboose 556-Part-1.pdf

PNG-784 SR&RL Caboose 556-Part-2.pdf