Does anyone know what I should be looking for? I need a few and I have no idea other than maybe a Bowser N-5? it this right? Is a bobber caboose too old for this time frame? Thanks for some help.
The N5 was a PRR design that didn’t exist before the 1930’s, so I doubt it would be used on the B&M and I know it wouldn’t be used between 1900 and the 1920’s.
I would suggest asking the B&M historical society or looking at some books on the B&M to see what cabooses they had. It was probably some sort of wood sided 8 wheel caboose
The Boston & Maine did have “clones” of the Pennsy N5 cabooses, built in 1932 so, yes, it is just a bit beyond your era.
Model Railroader over the years has had a couple of published plans of wood B&M cabooses from the era you seek. Assuming the issues are not on your shelves, I assume you can purchase copies from Kalmbach. Also if you are an NMRA member don’t forget the library service they offer.
April 1960 MR had one plan and July 1988 had another.
Dave Nelson
Kits and RTR B&M cabeese are not plentiful. I have the Bowser NE-5 kit, and the Bachmann bobber. The Bowser is unquestionable prototypical. The Bachmann bobber is less so. I have never seen a photograph of a real B&M bobber. But it’s cute. Looks good on the end of a logging train.
Horsley & Sweet’s Northern New England Color Guide has a lots of good color shots of B&M cabeese. Going from those photos I repainted an ordinary plastic model of a wood center cupola caboose for the B&M and it’s a fair match. For real B&M flavor there were cabeese converted from wood milk cars with distinctive cupola’s, long and narrow, looking more like the cabin of a sailing yacht than anything you would expect on rails. One of those could be kitbashed.
Hello “Sparky,”
Take a look at this Web page: http://morgwyddelig.com/jbvb/rr/bmrr/cabooses.html
Good hunting,
Andy
There’s a company that makes narrow monitor caboose in N scale, and I believe someone came out with a wood kit of it, although they are difficult to find. I’m not quite sure but I think the Laconia Buggies were also done in HO. The bobbers were used mostly before the turn of the century.
Thanks for the help guys. I have some pictures, although not full on views of a few B&M cabeese from the mid 20’s. They appear in a couple of Bruce Heald books that I have on the shelf. I can see a 5 window, offset copula caboose in several photos. I do have the Bachmann bobber, and although it is a bit early for 1930, it does look neat. I need a larger one for my fleet. Again, thanks.
Hey guys, some more help please. Which one is the better option, or neither. I’m not trying to sell one or the other. Just trying to figure out which is better… http://www.imrcmodels.com/distrib/ccs/html/CCS1220.htm http://www.bowser-trains.com/hocars/n5/n5.htm
The Centralia Car Shop caboose is much better than the bowser, however they were delivered in 1942.
Crap. That doesn’t help me at all. Well not really. Knowing that it’s a 40’s version helps. But all it does in eliminate another option. Looks like a very weathered Bachmann bobber is my best bet!
I think Train&Trooper in Maine has several resin kit variations of the long wood caboose in HO.For the shortier wood caboose the NHRHTA has had NYNH&H a resin kit that is very similar to the B&M caboose. This book is a great resource.
The Salisbury Point Historical Railroad Society is pleased to make available
A Book on Boston and Maine Cabooses
A History of Development and Use from 1914 to 1955
by
Tim Gilbert
This historical work features 23 pages and over 75 photographs, designs and floor plans. A must for the B&M enthusiast. Only $20.00 + shipping and handling (see order form). MA residents please add 5% sales tax. Please use the standard order form
Lets get those links clickable [:D]
Sorry. I’m on an iMac and the method it put things into this forum is different from a PC. I haven’t mastered it yet.