One of the problems of living in the UK but modelling the N&W is the lack of information easily available, and this despite the internet. I have regretted on the forum before the fact that there is no cheap model of the CF caboose essential to the 1950s, so I have now decided to scratch-build one myself.
The biggest problem is that I cannot find anywhere a scale drawing. I have photos, but unless I know at the very least the overall dimensions I cannot produce my own drawings from them. Please can anyone out there point me to a drawing with dimensions? If you have access to one, would it be possible for you to scan it and send it to me? I should be so grateful.
Failing a drawing, the following dimensions might be enough: length over underframe, length of cabin, height to roof eaves (from rail or underframe), height to roof top, height to cupola top. I must be able to get pretty close to the right proportions with those details.
(Just in case you think I have not tried, the N&W society has beautiful drawings of every minor mechanical and interior detail - far greater detail than my scratch-building skills can cope with - , but no overall drawing!)
Thanks for your help.
Peter
Gidday Peter, I see what you mean by the detailed drawings at the N&W site. Now I see that that the site refers to the CF as being of wood or steel construction and in the August 1945 Model Railroader, there is a drawing of an N&W Caboose of steel construction that to the untrained eye looks very similar to the one here......
http://www.nwhs.org/archivesdb/detail.php?ID=2473
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Thanks for the reply JaBear, and I don't know why I am grumbling - it must be even harder for you in NZ than it is for me in England - , but you managed to find a drawing that my searches failed to locate. (I think I must be getting old. No, I am getting old!) However it is a very scratchy drawing, though helpful, and I like the sound of the 1945 one. It will be more up to date and, I suspect, simpler. Do we need to get in touch off forum and, if so, how do we do it? Do I just put my email address here? I cannot really see why not.
After years of waiting we finally made it to NZ last year in a campervan, a week in North Island and two weeks in the South. What a magnificent, beautiful country: we were bowled over by it. Where do you live? The railways were interesting too, but must be a real challenge to model - scratch building all the way, I suppose.
Best wishes,
If you would have used the magazine index that is part of this website and typed in N&W CF Caboose you would have found that Mainline Modeler Magazine did an article including data and drawings in the November 1997 issue. This data and drawings would be better than anyting that MR would have done with this caboose. These magazines are available from many of the used magazine dealers.
I have found more modeling articles in one month of Mainline Modeler than in one year of MR.
Rick J
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
A basic O-scale drawing of N&W cabin cars Classes CF, CG, and C3 appear in the book The Norfolk and Western Handbook by Conley Wallace and Aubrey Wiley (W-W Publications, 1980). A floor plan is included if you wish to add interior detail.
Bill
Thank you Rick, though I would never have found it without being pointed to Mainline Modeler, - not a magazine I have heard of or seen over here. However the problem of access remains: I cannot see from the website how I could order this back issue, or even whether it is available.
Perhaps someone out there has the November 1997 issue?
Thanks Bill, but it will not be in the shops or libraries over here, and if I buy it from the USA and add on the exorbitant mail charges I might as well buy a brass model, and I really cannot afford that - even when my wife is not looking!
I suppose I should have stuck to Britain's Great Western Railway, another wonderful company, and it would have been so much easier, but I am fascinated by the N&W, both the steam motive power and the Appalachian scenery.
Gidday Peter, I am not sure if the new format is up to it but I have sent you a message. The email notifications in your profile/settings box close to the top on the right of your screen should tell if I was sucessful or not.
ptccox Thanks Bill, but it will not be in the shops or libraries over here, and if I buy it from the USA and add on the exorbitant mail charges I might as well buy a brass model, and I really cannot afford that - even when my wife is not looking!
I understand. I grew up in the flatlands (Illinois) with my Dad working for the Illinois Central. When I first went off to Virginia Tech (VPI back then), I was able to get a pass through the IC to ride the NYC James Whitcomb Riley Chicago to Cincinnati and then the N&W Pocahontas from Cincinnati to Christiansburg, VA.
I had never seen mountains before in my life. I woke up in the middle of the night on the train and went on up into the former Wabash dome car that was on the Pocahontas. Deep in coal country, watching those round position light signals change just before they passed the dome, was absolutely unforgettable.
I lived in Roanoke for 30+ years, and was there for the NRHS convention where the "A" and the "J" ran side-by-side up Christiansburg mountain. It was stunning. I took my boys trackside one morning when the "A" was headed upgrade north out of Roanoke on the Shenandoah Valley line and my boys said "Dad! The ground shook!". "I know, that's why I brought you out here."
Peter,
Try this link to O Scale Trains Magazine May/June '05. Scroll down to page 4
http://www.oscalemag.com/docs/ost_20.pdf
I also sent you message (2 actually) through this forum.
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