Re: Eight wheel Caboose on C&Sng?

Posted by Jim Courtney on Apr 07, 2015; 7:28pm
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Eight-wheel-Caboose-on-C-Sng-tp488p2017.html

Thanks for the info, Derrell, useful as always.

Seems par for the course for the early C&S modeler, that the only "official" C&S plans from that era to survive, turn out to be "concept drawings" rather than true erection plans.  Kind'a like the C&S plans for the modern reefers with a truss rod "type 2" underframe, when the actual construction incorporated the SUF.

When I use the term "1908 rebuilds", I'm referring to the process of rebuilding the cabooses that likely happened in 2-3 car batches over the course of several years.  It would be unrealistic to pull all of the cabooses out of train service at one time, to rebuild them all at one time.  Besides, the C&S car shops had its hands full, from 1907-1910, building the modern freight car fleet.

This small batch rebuilding probably accounts for the differences (not sure classes is the right word) in the rebuilt cars that survived to the "modern era":

The 303 / 1002 was already a long body car (14+ feet) by 1903, the only "rebuilding" was probably upgrading the underframe, the remainder of the car unlike any other modern caboose.

The "long body" rebuilds (300 /1000, 304 / 1003 and  312 / 1009) which acquired 14+ foot bodies could have conceivably been completely new construction, the original cars so worn out that it was easier to start from scratch rather than rebuild. They possibly used the 1908 drawings for inspiration if not actual measurements.

Two of the "short body" rebuilds (308 / 1006 and 309 / 1007) were virtually sisters, both with ~13 foot bodies, likely batched at the same time or sequentially, perhaps 1911-1912, due to the Folio 27 drawings:



Number 309 / 1007 has been rebuilt to its modern configuration, while number 308 / 1006 has yet to be rebuilt:



The 308 / 1006 still has its original South Park "waycar" configuration, likely the original under carriage.


Finally, the 306 / 1005 and 310 / 1008 were also sisters, but different from the other two short body rebuilds due to location of cupolas, brake staffs and window location and style.  I've come to thinking that these two cars were in the last batch, due to Folio 27 information:



It is my understanding that the new caboose numbering scheme was devised in mid to late 1911, though the cars were not actually renumbered until February, 1912  ( I think I got this info from some guy named "Poole").  If that is the case, the Folio 27 drawings would date from mid 1911 at earliest.  The drawings of 1005 and 1008 show the cars still retaining their center cupolas and early 2 window sides and I assume the original underframes, but are already outfitted with the new ladders with ringed tops in their modern locations, like the drawing of rebuilt 1007 in the same volume.  This would suggest to me that these 2 cars were batch rebuilt last, perhaps 1912 or 1913.  

Does this reasoning hold up?  Can the Folio 27 drawings be taken as an accurate look of the cabooses in 1911?

I've wanted to get the Folio 27 diagrams up for those on the C&Sn3 Blog that might not have access to them.  I apologize if this discussion seems redundant, I'm just restating what I think I know, so if any pigs are hiding among my lambs, I can cull them out of my thought herd!

BTW, when will Hol Wagner's new tome be available for purchase?