SP Caboose (and Old MoW?) Color

[Attuvian]

RR_Mel

I just installed a SP google eye on the roof of that caboose.  I made it from Evergreen #223 Styrene tubing (.093”) and drilled it out to .055” with a #54 drill bit.  I managed to squeeze a pair of 0201 LEDs in them.  Green forward and red to the rear.  That was my third and it didn’t go any easier than the first.

 

I normally use latching magnetic read switches in my cabooses to turn on and off the lighting.  I use LIR2032 Coin Cells for power charged from the rails but I ran out of the reed switches.  This is the second Bay Window SP caboose that I used a micro snap switch tripped with the chimney.  A quarter turn on the chimney turns the lights on and off.

 

Mel

 

 

Mel,

 

That's a great idea, using the stack as a switch handle.  You might consider posting more about its installation and the rest of the lighting innards as a separate string.  I'm sure there'd be a lot of interest out there in your procedure.

 

Stay warm/cool - whatever!

 

EDIT: If you put it on your blogspot, folks can enjoy extra hours of wonder and delight!  And thanks for all your contributions to fellow modelers.

 

John

[RR_Mel]

You don’t want our weather!!  Monday it was 92° and Wednesday morning the heater came on.  It’s been off and on again weather all winter, 43° at 6:30AM this morning.

 

I just installed a SP frog eye on the roof of that caboose.  I made it from Evergreen #223 Styrene tubing (.093”) and drilled it out to .055” with a #54 drill bit.  I managed to squeeze a pair of 0201 LEDs in them.  Green forward and red to the rear.  That was my third and it didn’t go any easier than the first.

 

I normally use latching magnetic read switches in my cabooses to turn on and off the lighting.  I use LIR2032 Coin Cells for power charged from the rails but I ran out of the reed switches.  This is the second Bay Window SP caboose that I used a micro snap switch tripped with the chimney.  A quarter turn on the chimney turns the lights on and off.

 

 

 

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[Attuvian]

RR_Mel

I use True-Color #TCP-346 Southern Pacific Caboose Brown, it’s a deep dark redish brown.

It’s the same color as the Athearn Southern Pacific Cabooses.

The True-Color paint is gloss so you will need to use a flat clear coat.  I really like the True-Color paints, their Daylight colors are right on the money. 

 

Mel

 

 

Thanks, Mel.  I had wondered about TCP-346 as it's labeled as "Caboose Brown".  I suppose that I can clear coat it once most everything is done.

 

The color swatch that I see for it on the web seems, all of a sudden, a bit more muted than what I see on old color MoW photos.  I look forward to hearing more in this string on that matter.  And on the wimpy green.

 

Please send up some sunshine.  Surely you have an excess down there . . .

 

John

[RR_Mel]

I use True-Color #TCP-346 Southern Pacific Caboose Brown, it’s a deep dark redish brown.

 

It’s the same color as the Athearn Southern Pacific Cabooses.

 

TCP-135 is Southern Pacific Olive Green.

 

The True-Color paint is gloss so you will need to use a flat clear coat.  I really like the True-Color paints, their Daylight colors are right on the money.

 

 

EDIT:

 

It’s this color.  This caboose is in the shop for a lighting up grade.

 

 

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[Attuvian]

Friends,

The Modeler's Archive pages on espee.railfan.net indicate that the standard caboose color for SP cabeese was "mineral red".  I have 4 cars, 2 semi-RTR Walthers (932-27603) and 2 of the old Athearn BB (#1251) to which I will be adding currently unpainted grabs and ladders.  The BBs have had their cast-on grabs removed and will also be getting relettered so their entire bodies will be painted as well.  Finally, I will be repainting two of the old Walthers Work Train sets to match the color of much of SP's late steam/transition era MoW equipment.  My color memory and old photos lead me to believe that their color was close to, if not identical with, their cabooses.  And so, I have three questions:

1) can you folks recommend a flat paint that will match the color of those Walthers cabeese (932-27603) without my having to mix to match?  (I will be doing the appropriate corner stuff in white.)

2) can anyone confirm that SP's old MoW cars were largely the same color - or "close enough for government work"?

3) even in the mid-50s, some transition era Mow equipment was showing up in that distinctive light institutional (not to say pukey) green.  To get me some variety on that project, is there a lead on something pre-mixed that would reasonably pass for that color?

Thanks, all, for your help.

John