CB&Q Silver Waycar Question

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

To all the “Q” people on the forum: I recently scrounged up an Athearn BB WV CB&Q silver waycar. In doing some research, I found a handful of prototype pictures and have decided that I would like to eventually model the scheme shown in these links, which is very close to the painted scheme:
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cbq/cbq13592alr.jpg

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cbq/cbq13707jpa.jpg

The eventually coming from the fact that a possible decal set (87-1153) for that scheme is out of stock from Microscale. This set is the only set that I am aware of for the scheme. If anyone knows of an alternate, I would appreciate knowing how to obtain that set.
A few other questions have come up in the process:

  1. Did the “arrows” go on both sides of the waycar or on just one? I have found pics that show them with the arrows and a few without the arrows.
  2. In the same vein as the previous question, did the red end panels just go on one end or on both? All the pics I have end that show the ends on show them only on one end.
  3. Is the color of the waycars considered a “silver” or is it an aluminum? In pics the colors are close enough that it is hard to tell.
    I will be Internet dark staring later this afternoon through Monday afternoon as I will be playing trains in an area that doesn’t have net access.
2

The Microscale set is a good one. Champ used to make a set as well(OOP). To address your questions:

  1. The ‘arrow’ went to both sides The first set of ‘wide vision’ way cars had this paint scheme. Later deliveries has just the large ‘Burlington’ logo. Use photos to pick your numbers…
  2. The red ‘scotch-lite’ safety panels were on both ends
  3. Aluminum would be the best choice for the color - ‘chrome silver’ is not even close.
    Jim
3

I have come up with another question for the forums. Where and from what manufacturer might I find a set of the correct Barber-Bettendorf caboose trucks? Unfortunately, the caboose came with the standard Athearn RB Caboose trucks which is not the right truck. I checked Walthers and all the options I found there are either unavailable or on advance reservation.