I’m busy with another LaBelle kit. This time a caboose. HOn3-129 D&RGW Caboose.
Next step will be adding details like grab irons.
Wolfgang
Wolfgang,
Looks good so far. Aren’t those kits fun to build!
Roger Huber
Be careful with those window shades. I’ve learned to avoid adding “stick out” details until after installing grabs.
Mark (will resume work on an AMB SP C-30 caboose after coughing fits end)
Looks nice, Wolfgang. I recently purchased an HO wood caboose craftsman kit (Gloor Craft Models) off eBay recently, which I’ll eventually get around to putting together, painting, and detailing.
I look forward to seeing the updated pics on your progress, Wolfgang. [:)]
Tom
Here you’re! My HowTo. Now I have to mask the windows and paint the caboose.
Wolfgang
Wolfgang, what’s your procedure for masking windows?
The AMB SP C-30 caboose kit I’m working on has six more windows, several of them barred, than your caboose. I don’t intend to glaze the windows until after painting and lettering (disregarding the kit’s instructions). Access is to be provided by not installing the roofs (to be pre-painted) until after window “glass” is installed. No masking required!
Mark
Wolfgang,
As someone who’s attempted one of those kits myself, I must say I’m very impressed with your work. [bow]
How did you manage to get the cupola ends in place without them disintegrating on you?
Cheers,
tbdanny
I’ve used the tape you buy in DIY store for paint work. In an earlier step I used the window frames as jig and cut the masking for the windows. I cut more than needed. [:)]
Next week, when I’m back, I will mask the glazings and work with the color, painting, decaling, weathering. For these steps I need the masking. I don’t want to weather the windows.
With this kit it would be more complicated to make the roof removable. So I decided to go with the instruction and glue the roof to the body. Now this one crew man is capturred. You can see him in the middle window.
@ tbdanny
I did not manage to get the cupola ends in place without them disintegrating. But I’ve glued the parts in place.I know there’re many not correct spot. But as usual it’s only me who knows.
I will take more pictures when I paint the caboose. Then you can look for those spots. 
Wolfgang
Nice looking kit. My one effort at a craftsman kit caboose is still sitting, uncompleted, in some box somwhere because it was only after I had nicely finished the basic carbody and roof, and was starting in on the underbody details that I got to thinking … hey this thing is light as a feather … it’s too late to add weight!
Dave Nelson
Slowly but steady.
Now the car has got a first visit to the paint shop and some lettering.
Next step, more painting. The hand rails needs some white and the roof should be black. And at last some weathering.
Wolfgang
That really looks great. Aren’t those kits fun to build!!!
I have a question about the siding on kits like the one shown here. I have recently built a Juneco CP caboose kit but I was not happy with the appearance of the siding. On the Juneco kit there was a noticable amount of ‘fuzz’ in the grooves caused by grain fibres standing up from the surface. These were still attached to the siding and my attempts to remove them with a wire brush only made things worse. The result when painted is that the grooves are not ‘clean’. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to remove the offending fibres? Also, since the Juneco kit is the only example of this type of kit that I have had exposure to, are other manufacturers kits free of the wood stuble?
Thanks
Dave
Dave:
If you try to remove the “fuzz” without first sealing the wood you will just create more fuzz. Use a good sanding sealer or shellac first then lightly sand the wood with a fine sandpaper.
Joe
Looks nice. Might tackle one of these soon.
Couple of questions; did you have to buy the detail kit (caboose ends, stove pipe, etc) separately? Are there plastic versions of these available too? What trucks did you use? I’ve heard a lot of good things about the blackstone trucks. I have some blackstone cars, but they’ve never been out of the box since I don’t have any track laid yet…
I built a few wooden kits. The latest was an Erie Silver Streak caboose. With a few added detail parts, it rivals my brass one.
One way to eliminate fuzz on the wood is to pass a propane torch QUICKLY over it. DO IT OUTSIDE & you didn’t hear it from me…
Those LaBelle kits are complete with details like caboose ends, stove pipe, NBWs and decals. You have only to get extra trucks and coupler.
I’ve used for this caboose trucks from Blackstone. But I like the Kadee trucks. They’re less expensive.
What about a module or diorama for your roster? That’s good for taking pictures. [:)]
Wolfgang
The caboose is amazing!!. I have never built anything like this. Can you suggest references for similar kits? I like Southern Railway and N&W steam era cabooses.
American Model Builders http://www.laserkit.com/laserkit.htm has a wood laser kit (#864) modeling the N&W Class CF caboose. Their kits have no wood fuzz. I’m currently working on the second of two SP cabooses of theirs.
Mark
Now I’ve finished the caboose kit.
One good point with those kits, I’ve made so many mistakes building this car that I’m ready for more. And I did some weathering. Here’re more pictures.
Wolfgang
Looks great.