American Model Builders caboose detail parts

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am building my first American Model Builders kit, of an Atlantic Coast Line caboose, and I’m unsure of where to source the extra detail parts necessary to complete the kit. Has anyone else out there built this kit? And if so, where did you source your detail parts?

2

Trainguy4466:

I have no direct experience with American Model Builders kits but I would suggest that if were to list the specific parts you are looking for you might get a lot more help. Also, please let us know what scale it is.

If it is trucks and couplers that you need then Kadee has excellent products:

http://www.kadee.com/index.shtml

They offer a consulting service on their website. Look for ‘Sam the answer man’.

Dave

3

understandable, most of what I need consists of the handrails at each end of the car, underframe details, etc

4

I am assuming you are in HO.

Here is another source that might have what you want. Look under ‘freight car parts’:

http://www.tichytraingroup.com/

Lots of people form their own grab irons from wire. I use phosphor bronze (which Tichy sells) around.015" although that is a bit large if you want a prototypical size. The phosphor bronze wire is quite stiff but it can be shaped easily. It will stand up to handling much better than brass wire. The same wire can be used to connect the brake parts etc. under the caboose. Tichy will list what size of wire the brake parts are designed to fit.

Dave

5

Detail Associates makes a kit for the AMB cas. Its Walthers stock number 229-550

6

update… the actual Walthers part # is 910-201. January 2022…

7

I think Sam the Answer Mann has retired, although I expect Kadee has someone competent to provide advice.

Since he is a regular forum reader, he may choose to give you advice in context.

8

I’m not at all familiar with those kits, but Tichy has a variety of grabirons, plus phosphor-bronze wire in a wide choice of diameters.
You can view their cataloge HERE.

Some of what you see on the caboose below (click on the photo for a larger picture) is either parts from Tichy or parts made from Tichy’s phosphor-bronze wire…

Wayne