For B&O Fans Part 3

[jonathan]

It occurs to me that I have been very busy lately and haven't posted any fun projects in a while.

Soooo.... here's my fleet of cabeese I've been tinkering with for a while.  A test for my fellow Beano's:

Which caboose never existed?



It's a trick question.

The caboose on the lower left is a C-5 owned by the C&O.  It was leased to the B&O for a number of years before the final merger.  It never had this paint scheme.  While it is a wooden caboose, built sometime in the 1920's, the B&O didn't use it until the 1960's, when paint schemes went a little crazy (opinion).  This paint scheme is suppose to represent late WWII markings.  Thanks to J3a-614 for getting me started on some history research.

Anyway the I-11 bobber is a Bachmann MA&PA caboose.  I add a little more to it all the time.  The fake caboose is a Walthers.  The other two are craftsman kits that I hacked my way through.  Although, the Wagon Top looks pretty good in photos.  My errors are too small to see apparently.

Enjoy.

Regards,

Jonathan

Addendum:  Interesting to note:  while the I-12 wagon top cabooses were probably the most well know (popular?), they led the shortest lives.  Most only operated for 16 years before being scrapped.  Very few survived to be preserved.  There is one at the B&O Museum in Baltimore.  It's in pretty tough shape.  Hopefully it will get on the restoration list. jev

[BaltoOhioRRfan]

I was gonna say that the caboose in the lower left didn't appear to be a real B&O paint scheme.

I've pretty much dropped out of the hobby for two reasons:
Prices
No where to buy

[jonathan]

I buy almost exclusively at the Timonium Train Show anymore.  The prices are the most competetive.  The selection is great.  I know the show happens only four times a year. I usually buy two or three "projects"... something to keep me busy until the next show.  I believe you live within proximity of this show.

My LHS's haven't gotten anything new in over a year.  They just don't carry stock anymore.  They want you to order things and come back when your order arrives.  I can do that on line (would rather not).  I miss shopping for trains at an actual store.

Regards,

Jonathan

[jettrainfan]

nice cabooses! You should get some photos of them in service.

[J3a-614]

I gotta concur with Jet Train; nice cabs, and it would be neat to see them in service. . .glad you're able to work with those resin cars.

[Doneldon]

B&O Fan-

DON'T DO IT. There are lots of sources for reasonably priced trains. Check the online stores for locos, electronics and operating things, and ebay for rolling stock, track, scenery and structures. You can find the mechanical and electronic things on ebay, too, but there is a risk that it won't work right. BUT PLEASE DON'T GO. We need you and others in our hobby for the camaraderie and interesting things you might talk about.
                                                                               -- D

[BaltoOhioRRfan]

B&O Fan-

DON'T DO IT. There are lots of sources for reasonably priced trains. Check the online stores for locos, electronics and operating things, and ebay for rolling stock, track, scenery and structures. You can find the mechanical and electronic things on ebay, too, but there is a risk that it won't work right. BUT PLEASE DON'T GO. We need you and others in our hobby for the camaraderie and interesting things you might talk about.
                                                                               -- D

that tid bit about leaving the hobby was supposed to be my signature....how it got there i donno. but i already did drop out. i haven't bought or run anything in almost a year. I am thinking about coming back though. only time and money will tell.

[jettrainfan]

B&O fan, I used to only run my trains about every 2-3 months. Now i run them at least once a week because i joined a model railroad club, you don't always have to run model trains at a club, you can watch them run or chat with others who are into the hobby.

[BaltoOhioRRfan]

he jon, i got a project for you. It involves an B&O I1 4-4-0 and 6 Streamlined Passenger cars. B&O did an experiment with streamlined cars back in 1900 and i found a photo of it in the book "BAltimore and Ohio Railroad" (Hard cover copy) its on page 19 if you want to see it.

[J3a-614]

BaltoOhioRRFan is talking about the Adams Windsplitter, an early streamlining effort.  His photo is likely this one:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Windsplitter_B%26O_streamlined_train1900.jpg

See No. 47.

http://www.borailroadhotsauce.com/bo-trivia/

Some B&O fans must run this outfit (and it is in conjunction with the museum in Baltimore).  

http://www.borailroadhotsauce.com/

I've never had any of this stuff, but there is a local firm where I live that produces something called "Scorned Woman."  I can only imagine you would have some of that on a hamburger or steak and exclaim, "WHOO--EEE!!"

[BaltoOhioRRfan]

BaltoOhioRRFan is talking about the Adams Windsplitter, an early streamlining effort.  His photo is likely this one:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Windsplitter_B%26O_streamlined_train1900.jpg

The book has that and a front shot with the locomotive.

[jonathan]

Passenger service is in my plans, but it will be a while before I can get to it. First I have to finish my freight roster, which involves collecting enough wagon top rolling stock to make a 40-car train.  Gonna take a while.  I have a photograph (Baltimore Sun article) with a B&O 2-8-8-0 hauling a long train of wagon top box cars, followed by wagon top hoppers.  It inspires me to keep building everytime I see it.  I'm up to 9 box cars so far.  My first attempts look pretty bad compared to the newer ones.  Fortunately someone is coming out with RTR equipment in the near future. 

At least the caboose is done.   

Then I'll start exploring the luxury passenger service that B&O was so famous for.  Did you know that the Deer Park water bottling company was actually an early B&O venture?  They tried many innovative things to make their dining and riding experience second to none.  Too bad they couldn't make a profit at it.

Regards,

Jonathan

[jonathan]

This is the 6th box car I built (F&C Product).  Getting better at the details and hiding my errors:



The air hoses/trainline is one continuous wire.  I put a drop of epoxy on the ends and painted them silver.  For those who have heard of a slack adjuster, look closely:



And one last shot of the wagon top caboose:



It may take me years to complete, but it's gonna be a really cool train (if you're into B&O).

Regards,

Jonathan

[ebtnut]

Slightly off-topic, but I just picked up a couple of wagon-tops in O scale.  They are from Weaver, and they were released last year in a variety of paint schemes, from the 1930's through the 1960's.  I got both in red paint (see Jonathon's above); one has the Baltimore and Ohio spelled out (1940's/'50's period);  the other has the big B&O, from about the mid-'50's period.  My era is about 1954-55, so they both fit in nicely. 

[jonathan]

I have seen close up photos of those cars.  They are very nicely done... great detail.  You have great taste! 

Picking the right red can be problematic for anyone.  The few surviving wagon tops I've seen look nearly orange from fading.  Hence mine are a standard bright red.  Some pick an oxide red, which is a little darker.  I think the HO RTR versions will offer a standard red or boxcar red (brown), depending on the era.

Regards,

Jonthan