All of the Milwaukee Bay Window cables I've bought have been pre-assembled. They all were just fine. I think I got carried away and bought more than I needed. Their home seems to be the caboose track.
I took one of these apart once and put in a detailed interior. I replaced the original trucks with power trucks, and added a floor, some interior paneling, light furniture and illumination, plus adding Tomar illuminated lanterns outside.
The Tomar lanterns added something. But, the windows on these models are small and the interior details can't be seen.
If I get around to ever upgrading the remaining cabeese, all I would do is add the trucks and the Tomar lanterns, plus maybe a lights-only decoder. I think an SPST toggle to power the caboose track might be a better solution.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
ndbprr What is your time worth? When you figure how long it would take you and the material costs it may come out as much as just buying the Walthers model.
What is your time worth? When you figure how long it would take you and the material costs it may come out as much as just buying the Walthers model.
At least with the materials, I already have a couple of the major components needed: a complete BB Bay window kit (from my Uncle's collection of stuff that I hadn't yet used) and an extra shell (from one purchased to replace an unusable underframe on a caboose for my layout).
As I see it the major components needed would be the styrene to replicate the ribs, paint, decals (have a line on some) and the trucks (which I also have a line on). I can spread the impact to the finances out where I can't do that with the Walthers caboose. Time in theory is free.
This is only intended to be a three foot model. Most people won't know the exact differences.
OldEngineman Like this? I didn't build it. I bought it used from ebay. Whoever DID build it did a fine job. I did swap out the trucks for a pair from an Athearn wooden express reefer. I bought it because at the time, it was a much better deal than the Walthers MILW cabooses. However, the Walthers pieces are close to "what actually was". I don't know if the Milwaukee owned any "full-length" cabooses like this one. Posing here in front of my 50-year-old Plasticville freight house...
Like this?
I didn't build it. I bought it used from ebay. Whoever DID build it did a fine job.
I did swap out the trucks for a pair from an Athearn wooden express reefer.
I bought it because at the time, it was a much better deal than the Walthers MILW cabooses. However, the Walthers pieces are close to "what actually was". I don't know if the Milwaukee owned any "full-length" cabooses like this one.
Posing here in front of my 50-year-old Plasticville freight house...
Yup, that's exactly what I had in mind. Having looked up close at the Walthers models I do see the differences. But for the purpose I have in mind it would work.
I have several of them. I bought most if not all of them from Walthers as monthly flyer specials, and they were only about half the retail price. You might look in train shows or on eBay. You might find some that were not bought for such a premium.
This one requires a specific group of my Forum friends. Does anybody remember an article in our varied modeling magazines on how to bash an Athearn Bay Window caboose to a Milwaukee ribside one? I am working with our local museum on a 30's to 50s era diorama of the yard here in Miles City. This type of caboose was unique to the Milwaukee and one would fot well. The Walthers ones are a bit outside my budget.
As usual, any assistance would be most welcomed.