Ambroid ATSF Caboose

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi,

I just sold an Ambroid ATSF “collectors” wood caboose kit on Ebay. Many times over the 35 years we had it, I thought about building it but frankly it seemed to daunting for me to tackle.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has built one, could comment on the process, and of course post a pic.

Thank you!

Mobilman44

2

http://hpim6780/Haven’t built any Ambroid kits. Have built Silver Streak, Gloor Craft, Lazer Kit and a private offering through the Northern Pacific Railroad Historical Assoviation of an N.P. bay Window Caboose and I find them to be the most fun to build. I’m guessing the Ambroid kits are about the same. I only have a photo Of the American Model Builders “Lazer Kit” N.P. 24 foot Caboose and the Gloor Craft kit of the same. (Below is the AMB Laser Kit).(Above is the Gloor Craft Model)

3

I’ve built at least 3 “antique” wood kits. My wooden Erie caboose kit looks better than my brass Pennsy. It won’t be so daunting after you get the first one under your belt. Seems the more complicated a kit is the better it looks when finished. Built my first Sylvan vehicle, not a piece of cake but very impressive when you take your time.

I think a good part of the fun in model railroading is to improve your skills & end up with great looking models…

4

Hi again,

Over the years I built several Silver Streak & Ulrich kits, and all sit on my layout “looking good”. The Ambroid just appeared to be out of my reach to do it justice. Actually, of all the craftsmen kits I’ve had, this is the only one I shied away from. Maybe its because it is mostly/all wood…

Anyway, sure would like to see a pic of a finished model.

5

This is an Ambroid caboose. A 1 in 5000 “collectors item”. I built it back in college, and that was 50 years ago. It still runs on my layout. It was pleasant to build, took several evenings, there are a lot of pieces to cut and fit in place. As a college student, I lacked any fancy tools or jigs, it went together with little more than an Xacto knife. “The Chopper” had not been invented in those days.

The kit is just a bundle of strip wood, some soft metal castings, the plans, and some larger wood pieces. The floor, roof and sides came cut to size, all the outside bracing and window frames you cut to length yourself. Duco cement was the major adhesive used on all the woodwork. Some of the castings were secured with Goo. I put a lamp inside it, but neglected to provide a way to change the bulb, short of demolishing the car. Needless to say, it runs unlit today.

It wasn’t hard to build. I just followed the instructions, and it went together.

6

DStarr, Your model makes me think I need to get one of those Ambroid kits.

None of the wood kits I’ve built where built in a couple evenings! Maybe more like 20-30 hours; or, more. I’d really like a nice Drover’s Caboose; or, MofW car to build.

7

It’s been a long time. I won’t pretend to have kept records of build time. I do remember it being fun. It did take a while to build, but not so long as to get tedious.