N scale transfer caboose

[Tom Kepshire]

I have been working on a future N scale release for the Stores and spoke with Craig at Blueford Shops. He informed me that they will be coming out with an N scale transfer caboose done in Monon.  I have not heard what number or numbers, but I have inquired about the Stores purchasing in bulk. The last caboose they produced was very limited in numbers and were hard to find. If I get an additional poop, I will be sure to pass it along.

Craig just asked me to keep this quiet for the moment, so please do not flood Blueford with emails seeking more information. He has promised to advise me when pre-orders will be taken. He says expect two road numbers.

[Don Kuhlman]

COOL - I'll be watching for that Tom!

[Tom Kepshire]

Just what any layout modeling Hammond needs....transfer cabooses.

[Don Kuhlman]

Fer sure!

[Tom Kepshire]

Well that bites. Just received a communication from Blueford Shops and there will NOT be a Monon transfer caboose this summer. I am waiting to hear back if there would be one later, or if they will feature undecorated ones. Guess there was not a big demand for it.

[Ron Marquardt]

I found the second one down on the page interesting.  Why would you need a roof walk on a caboose if it doesn't go anywhere?  Was there a prototype for this one?  Just curious.  / Ron

[Tim T Swan]

Yeah there were prototypes, Ron.  And they were MONON!  See attached.

[Ron Marquardt]

Interesting, but since you couldn't go across the tops to the adjacent cars, I wonder why a roofwalk was even needed? Maybe so a switchman could go high and pass signals (or put the stovepipe back up after the engineer knocks it down).  / Ron

[Don Kuhlman]

Well. that's cool - gives me time to work on that rider car.  I primed it, and have been testing some red color on it to see how it looks.  Maybe by the time the transfer caboose comes out, I'll have the rider car done

Don K

[Tom Kepshire]

Don, and others. After asking for a clarification from Blueshops, they are eventually planning on the Monon version of the transfer cabooses, just no real release date. All they said was maybe later this summer or during the fall. If, or when, I get more info, I will be sure to post it.

[George Lortz]

Tom,

If they need any encouragement to make a Monon version of the transfer caboose, maybe we could take an informal poll of the particpants of this board and see how many we will commit to.  I, for one, would buy three if they produced all three numbers - 81551, 81552 and 81553.

George L.

[Tom Kepshire]

They originally indicated they would do 2 of the numbers. They have promised that when the release date grows closer, they will advise me, so it can be posted and reservations can be taken. Their last Monon caboose, the International, sold out quickly. Many hobby shops only received 4 of them. I know because I bought all 4 that NYC Hobbies got, then sold them to my N scale friends.

[Stew Winstandley]

Is there a drawing of a transfer caboose available showing dimensions?

[Tom Kepshire]

As a matter of fact, there is. It has been on the www.monon.org web site since November of 2010 when it was the Drawing Of The Month. It is not the best copy.  Here is the direct link http://www.monon.org/drawings/2010/2010-11Caboose_transfer.jpg

[Don Kuhlman]

Cool.  Will keep the lines open for exciting updates on this one.  Thanks Tom!