D&RGW short caboose

[John M]

Where can I find plans, dimensions or drawings for a D&RGW short caboose?

[marshall5]

Westlake Publishing, probably in Narrow Gauge Annual, did an extended article on the D&RGW cabooses maybe 7-8 yrs ago. It had drawings and detail photos and is available for download from http://www.finescalerr.com/. I can't check which issue until I get back to Boise late next week but you can view the contents on their site. Failing that I'm sure if you call or e-mail Westlake they'll be able to tell you. A friend of mine built a 2 1/2" scale long caboose and said that the article was most useful, particularly for the interior.
Cheers,
Ray.

[FLSTEAM]

The plans you are looking for are in the Narrow Gauge Short line Gazette Sep/Oct 2000.
I built it in 2 1/2" scale and am very happy with it. If I can find pictures I will send them along.

John B.

[ironhorseriley]

Mallory Hope Ferrell's book: Silver San Juan had a 1/4" scale version.

[Greg_Lewis]

The plans you are looking for are in the Narrow Gauge Short line Gazette Sep/Oct 2000.
I built it in 2 1/2" scale and am very happy with it. If I can find pictures I will send them along.

John B.

This may be available as a back issue. Give them a call: 650-941-3823.

BTW, the entire NGSL collection is available on an indexed and searchable CD from 1964 to 2014. That's over 25,000 pages of narrow gauge stuff. You can download PDF plan sets in your chosen scale, too. I haven't seen the CD, but it sounds good.

[ironhorseriley]

I also spotted this great source of inspirational pics from cumbrestoltec.org (PDF)

https://www.cumbrestoltec.org/images/st ... atalog.pdf

[makinsmoke]

The Ridgway Railway Museum has restored the
caboose formerly in Ouray.

If you want to build it right and want to know what it looks like under the siding, scroll down
near the bottom of the page:

http://www.ridgwayrailroadmuseum.org/05 ... ation.html

There is absolutely no reason not to build the caboose in 2-1/2" scale as built in full size. The framing and structure built as designed will be as strong if not stronger than anything you could shortcut unless you made it from steel.

The satisfaction from doing it that way is incalculable. Take photos. Then you can show them off after everything is covered up!

Take care,
Brian

[ironhorseriley]

This may be helpful as well.

http://riograndesouthern.com/RGSTechPages/0400dwx.pdf
source: Rio Grande Southern Railroad Technical Information Page
http://riograndesouthern.com/RGSTechPages/rgstec13.htm

I look forward to watching you project unfold here!

Jim

[Gary Armitstead]

John,

There is a great book called "A Century + Ten of D&RGW Narrow Gauge Freight Cars, 1871 to 1981" by Robert E. Sloan. Many drawings of the 17 ft. shorty caboose. This is a great reference book for builders of D&RGW rolling stock in any scale. Around $50. I just checked the bookstore at the Colorado Railroad Museum and it doesn't show it available' Also checked Amazon and also not available. But this place has it and I've dealt with them before. http://quickpicbooks.homestead.com/file ... nt_10.html

I can scan some pages out of my copy if you would like them. Let me know by PM.

[John M]

Thanks All!
Sorry, I don't know how to answer individual posts or what a PM is. Gary, would love some scanned pages of the short caboose -- thanks! Just to thank you all for your wonderful info as I checked out all the sites you mentioned. Ray, I did buy & download the 2006 Narrow Gauge Annual you recommended and it was chock-full of wonderful stuff, exactly what I need. I recall sitting at the lunch table in Mark's machine shop several months ago, meeting you & your wife and hearing about your amazing steam adventures (the real thing!) there on Isle of Man. Looking forward to seeing you again! BTW, Mark's track extension is terrific!
John

[marshall5]

You're welcome John - glad to help. The friend I mentioned was Ed Rehberg (who was also at Mark's, with his Shay) and although his was a long caboose he might be able to offer advice on construction methods. Hope we meet again.
Cheers,
Ray.

[John M]

Hi Ray,
Yes, Ed's was long caboose 0503 and he built it from I believe a good quality HOn3 kit, a technique he recommends for detail, dimensions, etc. Thanks for your help -- the Narrow Gauge Annual is a wonderful resource!
John