looking for ho bobber caboose

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi

Has anyone come across a a site that has a 1860s to 1880s caboose? [banghead] I have looked on line but have not reached the right place yet.

Many thanks.

Lee

2

Model: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/160-18439

Prototype: http://www.lvrra.org/caboose.htm

3

Way to go Maxman.

I just received the Walther’s flyer and there were none in it. I don’t know why I didn’t think to go to their site. [D)]

Thanks

Lee

4

There are two versions for sale, a two window version that resembles the Reading and other NE road type cabooses. There is also a 3 window version, don’t know what its prototype is.

Here is a kitbash of a P&R clas NMa bobber. It started as a 3 window bobber and had the roof replaced with a clerestory style roof.

Here is a 2 window bobber behind a Mantua B-8a 0-6-0 cameback switcher detailed and backdated to the 1900 era.

5

Just like your earlier question on cars from the era, there were plastic bobber cabeese produced by most train set manufacturers for their “Old Time” train sets. Bachmann still makes a bobber, and Mantua produced plenty. These can be easily found in “junker” boxes and consignment tables at train shows and better hobby shops. The plastic versions can be used as is, or are easy fodder for kitbashing into a specific model or incorporating more and better detail. Model Railroader used to feature articles on doing these types of bashes.

Alternatively, scratchbuilding one from wood would be relatively simple. The most difficult part would be locating a suitable truck (but see “junkers” above).

Fred W

6

{Boy that title looked a little dirty at first! [:-^]}

Here is a whole page of them:

http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Search2.asp?Search=bobber&scale=HO&Submit2=++Search++

7

Interesting, the Ma & Pa caboose picture on Wholesale Trains doesn’t match the one on Bachmann’s site even though the product numbers match. Wonder which you get if you order from them [?]

Enjoy

Paul

8

I always think of the Silver Streak kits from decades ago, I wonder if Ye ole Huff and Puff who aquired most of the line is producing any, possibly they may have some of the detail parts unique to this type of caboose.

Dave

9

Thanks Guys

Fred
I bought the Matua passenger cars that I found at a local hobby shop. Then ordered the Bachmann caboose that looked like it would match the Matua cars best, from another shop. That shop doesn’t charge shipping. [:-^]
After buying the passenger cars I found 3 really neet gold trimmed cathedral cars that would have looked great behind my brass trimmed 4-4-0. Oh well I already blew the train budget for this month.
This consist doesn’t have to be authentic to please the grand kids.
Have fun

Lee

10

I can relate to depleating the budget, I recently aquired a combined 5 car post war Amercian Flyer old time western passenger car set, these are shunned by collectors, hence their affordability and availibilty to those of us who don’t mind converting to scale use. I obtained the baggage car, mail car and three coaches, although I have no particular interest in modeling the 1890’s many of these cars were still in secondary service in my modeled year of 1920, I plan to kitbash the baggage car into a quasi-branchline caboose, don’t have any defenitive plans for the coaches or mail car yet, but i’m sure something will come to mind!

Speaking of Bobber cabooses, Pacific Electric operated a substanial fleet of flat tops until the demise of electric freight operations in 1951-52. Built by the Torrance shop in the twenties for transfer service they served long and well. Sadly, none were perserved for future generations to enjoy.

Dave