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Aster Penn. 8-wheel caboose

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J

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I'v been looking for some time now for a caboose to go with my Aster Berkshire and I've been offered this one.

As it was made by Aster in 1984 for 'Gauge One America' - I had assumed that it would be of the usual Aster quality - but this does not appear to be the case.

On first impressions it does appear to be a well detailed model, but on closer examination there appears to be a number of economies made - the body is made of wood - the roof is steel - much of the detail fittings are pinned on rather than with screw fasteners - etc. etc.

So I was wondering if anyone here has any experience of this model - or has a link to any reviews - and what kind of price to pay for a good example?

I don't think they could have made many of these as I've not been able to find much information on line.

Thanks Guys .... :)
 
B

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#2 ·
John,

A lot depends on condition of the caboose (range is typically $200-500). Although this is not a caboose you see all that often, I have had a few of them myself over the years. The first observation since I have no picture or price of this caboose is the Aster Berk is usually NKP...If this is no deterant to purchase, then what is the price offered? If the caboose has some defects then a price closer to the lower part of the range may be fair. If it comes complete and pristine then probably in the higher price range is closer to its value...

Sam
 
D

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881 Posts
#3 ·
I have a model too and it is very nice reproduction of the Pennsy N6 cabin car these were reconstructed from 4 wheel bobbers between the wars I think, and had wood construction it is very well detailed and very sturdy. Mine is in regular use on my pike since I bought it around 2016. I only lost the cap of the stack which I hadn't glued on and dropped once somewhere in the garden. Mine has lights. The real ones had archbar trucks untill they were outlawed by the AAR (Or was it the ICC?) then they were fitted with bettendorf cabin car trucks with leaf springs. The problem is that mine has the shadow livery which was introduced in the late fifties and by that time they had changed the trucks. All metal trucks.
Besides what is wrong with wood? Outside of leaving it outdoors... The real ones lasted untill the end of PRR.
The Nickel plate and PRR shared some right of way west of Buffalo for quite some miles. Both had parallele lines and made a two track main by assigning a direction to each line, its a form of trackage right.
Enjoy your cabin car,
Simon
 
T

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2,420 Posts
#4 ·
John 842 said:
I'v been looking for some time now for a caboose to go with my Aster Berkshire and I've been offered this one.

As it was made by Aster in 1984 for 'Gauge One America' - I had assumed that it would be of the usual Aster quality - but this does not appear to be the case.

On first impressions it does appear to be a well detailed model, but on closer examination there appears to be a number of economies made - the body is made of wood - the roof is steel - much of the detail fittings are pinned on rather than with screw fasteners - etc. etc.

So I was wondering if anyone here has any experience of this model - or has a link to any reviews - and what kind of price to pay for a good example?

I don't think they could have made many of these as I've not been able to find much information on line.

Thanks Guys .... :)
Click to expand...
TPIUWP!
 
T

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2,420 Posts
#6 ·
Fred, I'm a sucker for cabeeses - I must have around forty in different scales from z up to 1/19th. I even have a set of plans for one at 1 1/2" to the foot - you just never know when you'll need a 1/8th scale CPR version. I see nothing to criticise with that fine-looking example of caboosia ferro-equinilogia. Here's one I built from old GR plans - it's based on the SR&RL RR in Maine, but in 1/19th scale for 16mm running - made of coffee stirrers.......

Before colouring-in, and post...

Train Rolling stock Wood Window Track



Train Rolling stock Track Toy Vehicle
 
J

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208 Posts
Discussion Starter · #7 · (Edited)
boilingwater said:
John,

A lot depends on condition of the caboose (range is typically $200-500). Although this is not a caboose you see all that often, I have had a few of them myself over the years. The first observation since I have no picture or price of this caboose is the Aster Berk is usually NKP...If this is no deterant to purchase, then what is the price offered? If the caboose has some defects then a price closer to the lower part of the range may be fair. If it comes complete and pristine then probably in the higher price range is closer to its value...

Sam
Click to expand...
Sam,

Yes, I would have liked to find an NKP one but, they're relatively rare on this side of the pond - so my thought was to re-decal/paint it to be consistent with my Berk and it's box cars.

The other option that comes to mind is when Simon says in his post below that ....

The Nickel plate and PRR shared some right of way west of Buffalo for quite some miles. Both had parallele lines and made a two track main by assigning a direction to each line, its a form of trackage right.
Click to expand...
.... if I could find an incident of a PRR caboose wandering across onto the adjacent NKP rails - then that would be my cover story .... :)

The asking price for the one I've been offered is £270 ($328) which is pretty much in line with your estimate bearing in mind it is near mint with some minor problems with incorrect assembly of the coupling centering springs.
 
J

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208 Posts
Discussion Starter · #8 · (Edited)
du-bousquetaire said:
I have a model too and it is very nice reproduction of the Pennsy N6 cabin car these were reconstructed from 4 wheel bobbers between the wars I think, and had wood construction it is very well detailed and very sturdy. Mine is in regular use on my pike since I bought it around 2016. I only lost the cap of the stack which I hadn't glued on and dropped once somewhere in the garden. Mine has lights. The real ones had archbar trucks untill they were outlawed by the AAR (Or was it the ICC?) then they were fitted with bettendorf cabin car trucks with leaf springs. The problem is that mine has the shadow livery which was introduced in the late fifties and by that time they had changed the trucks. All metal trucks.
Besides what is wrong with wood? Outside of leaving it outdoors... The real ones lasted untill the end of PRR.
The Nickel plate and PRR shared some right of way west of Buffalo for quite some miles. Both had parallele lines and made a two track main by assigning a direction to each line, its a form of trackage right.
Enjoy your cabin car,
Simon
Click to expand...
Simon,

Many thanks for that information - yes this one has the arch bar trucks with the shadow livery, but I can live with that for now until I can find the correct ones.

I guess I have a bit of a prejudice against wood because of the generally light weight construction and the need to sometimes balast it for optimum running qualities. Also, since cheap laser cutters have become widely available, there seems to have been a proliferation of kits and RTR of a somewhat indifferent quality.

However, now I've had the oportunity to examine the wood construction of this Aster model more closely I can see that it's pretty much flawless. So I have to admit I may have to reconsider my prejudice .... :)
 
D

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3,189 Posts
#18 ·
And I as keep pointing out, so did Garrich.
Sorry John that your thread has morphed into the other 1/32 E8 one!
Simon, did you see on the other thread that Michael asked you if you found one yet?
Here is the Garrich E7 when I was first looking at how to make it an E8 Texas Special.
Cheers,
David Leech, Canada
Wood Window Hardwood Flooring Metal
 
J

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208 Posts
Discussion Starter · #19 ·
David Leech said:
.......Sorry John that your thread has morphed into the other 1/32 E8 one! .....
Click to expand...
That's no problem David - my thread has served it's purpose - I went ahead and bought the caboose for a fair price and I'm very happy with it.

Plus I've picked up some good information along the way.

Many thanks! everyone .... :)
 
Greg Elmassian

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22,858 Posts
#20 ·
Great Trains, which was available in the US.

www.mylargescale.com

Great Trains E-7 Engine in 1/32nd

I guess this hardly counts as new, but it was in new condition when I got it the other day. Great Trains were made back in the 80's in 1/32nd scale. F40 engines were also made and a few of the E-7's. I was very happy to get this. Had to put in some spacers to get the trucks to clear the body and...
www.mylargescale.com www.mylargescale.com

Greg
 
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