Post by hlcx4300 on Jun 5, 2013 14:55:43 GMT -5
Well after a few posts about some of my engines, I thought I would take a minute to focus on the car that's at the end of the train, (Or what used to be!) Here is a caboose that I built 10 years ago when I first started in the hobby. It's a 98% accurate model of one of Chessie System's C27a class BW Cabeese built in the 80's. #903987 was built using a Walthers BW Caboose which was heavily modified to represent a C27a cabin. The real work here was patching up and relocating windows plus redoing the front end railings and relocating the smokejack to the correct position. I finished off the model by adding all the brake rigging & piping to the underframe plus adding details like the brakechains, antennas, couplerbars, windowscreens, and rear end markerlights. Most everything on this cabin was made from scratch as well! The window screens are made from a mix of coffee filter mesh and a few spare Overland Brass etchings, The red marker light was made by using a lense from an old signal bridge and every other little detail was made from either scrap styrene or brass wire. I'd say this is a fair representation of the real thing, The most noticeable difference about it is the incorrect stock sidesteps which I never changed. Still, It is a decent model and it's one I kept being the first major rebuild I made only a year after I started. I plan to make another Chessie C27a that's 100% accurate using a few of the same techniques and new ones very soon, I may even mass produce them and sell a few off to others. This kind of modeling is fun and the challenge is great modeling experience but in all honesty, models of the C26, C26a, C27, & C27a cabeese are badly needed! For anyone modeling the Chessie or CSX, These cars are a must. Overland Brass imported a few of them years back but in small quantity. Their were even rumors that the resin kit company Whright Trak would make a few but years later their are no signs that any are going to be made. However, they did produce a C26 model but only for the Chessie Historical Society. It really would be nice if another company could mass produce these cars. With all the improvements in model making and the resources that are out their, I don't think it would be to out of the question! For now though, Here is my model of 903987 based on the real car, #903985! i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag89/elDuderino97/S0122051_zpsacbf76f8.jpg