Joined
·
1,113 Posts
I have two USA D&RGW painted cabeese. They look like this:
The bright red paint has always bugged me. So the plan was to repaint them into Scalecoat II boxcar red. The paint is all ready to go and we have some dry transfer lettering too. However the more I looked at them, the more I thought that since these will be repainted why not try and make them look more D&RGW like.
The main goal was to alter the platform steps into the D&RGW style with one step. Take a look at this fantastic scratch built 1:22.5 scale model by talented modeler Barry Bogs (paying close attention to the end steps):
And here's a link to Barry's website
What I thought about doing was cutting off the platform steps on the USA model and fabricating the flat ends with styrene, and then using Ozark Miniatures caboose steps. Sounds like a workable plan.
But now I've just found out that the Delton G scale caboose, and later Aristo-Craft's "Classics" long caboose has the exact look I'm trying to replicate. Including the right end steps, square end railings, window frames, correct door, and proper smoke stack location.
So I guess I goofed by getting the USA cabeese. Wish I knew about the Delton version back then. However looking closer it appears the Delton/Aristo caboose sits way too high when compared to the USA caboose. Also I'm wondering about the scale issues. I run 1:22.5 (LGB, Bachman, USA, Aristo) sized equipment. Never seeing one in person, how does the Delton/Aristo caboose compare scale wise with other 1:22.5 sized equipment? It's probably perfect.
Now here's the big question. Should I stick with my 2 USA cabeese, and proceed with the repaint and possible step bash? Or should I sell them off and go with 2 Delton versions? What would you do if you were me? Could the trucks be lowered somehow since (at least in this picture) the Delton/Aristo caboose height over the trucks looks odd.
Boy don't you just hate it when you find out the model you wanted is made and you get the wrong one...x 2 in my case


The bright red paint has always bugged me. So the plan was to repaint them into Scalecoat II boxcar red. The paint is all ready to go and we have some dry transfer lettering too. However the more I looked at them, the more I thought that since these will be repainted why not try and make them look more D&RGW like.
The main goal was to alter the platform steps into the D&RGW style with one step. Take a look at this fantastic scratch built 1:22.5 scale model by talented modeler Barry Bogs (paying close attention to the end steps):

And here's a link to Barry's website
What I thought about doing was cutting off the platform steps on the USA model and fabricating the flat ends with styrene, and then using Ozark Miniatures caboose steps. Sounds like a workable plan.
But now I've just found out that the Delton G scale caboose, and later Aristo-Craft's "Classics" long caboose has the exact look I'm trying to replicate. Including the right end steps, square end railings, window frames, correct door, and proper smoke stack location.
So I guess I goofed by getting the USA cabeese. Wish I knew about the Delton version back then. However looking closer it appears the Delton/Aristo caboose sits way too high when compared to the USA caboose. Also I'm wondering about the scale issues. I run 1:22.5 (LGB, Bachman, USA, Aristo) sized equipment. Never seeing one in person, how does the Delton/Aristo caboose compare scale wise with other 1:22.5 sized equipment? It's probably perfect.
Now here's the big question. Should I stick with my 2 USA cabeese, and proceed with the repaint and possible step bash? Or should I sell them off and go with 2 Delton versions? What would you do if you were me? Could the trucks be lowered somehow since (at least in this picture) the Delton/Aristo caboose height over the trucks looks odd.
Boy don't you just hate it when you find out the model you wanted is made and you get the wrong one...x 2 in my case
