A couple of oddities- to me at least

[KeithT]

I came across these on ebay.uk
As I don’t have a “full size” bogie caboose I decided this was unusual enough to justify purchase. One of the metal wheel axles was snapped due to heavy handling in transit. The plastic spacer was broken. An easy fix although I have metal wheelsets to substitute,if necessary.
It has lights and smoke.
The fireman I was vaguely aware of but had never seen previously. At £80 I shall have a play over Christmas at the NW Gscale meeting and then probably pass on. I have seen them on offer in the US at silly prices but not spotted an actual sale price. Big difference.

 

[DickyC]

Can confirm that’s odd to me too,

 

[curtis]

I came across these on ebay.uk
As I don’t have a “full size” bogie caboose I decided this was unusual enough to justify purchase. One of the metal wheel axles was snapped due to heavy handling in transit. The plastic spacer was broken. An easy fix although I have metal wheelsets to substitute,if necessary.
It has lights and smoke.
The fireman I was vaguely aware of but had never seen previously. At £80 I shall have a play over Christmas at the NW Gscale meeting and then probably pass on. I have seen them on offer in the US at silly prices but not spotted an actual sale price. Big difference.

It really looks like that axel has some running (based on the outside of the wheel). Who made the caboose? I was with my FIL a couple of years ago in the US and he bought (I think, a USA Trains) which came with lights and smoke too. It was a nice touch and I'd not seen one before.

Let me know if you decide to sell the fireman on. Nikki loves the oddities (as opposed to another black loco or green carriage ) so I know she'd be keen to see something like that in the collection

 

[KeithT]

It really looks like that axel has some running (based on the outside of the wheel). Who made the caboose? I was with my FIL a couple of years ago in the US and he bought (I think, a USA Trains) which came with lights and smoke too. It was a nice touch and I'd not seen one before.

Let me know if you decide to sell the fireman on. Nikki loves the oddities (as opposed to another black loco or green carriage) so I know she'd be keen to see something like that in the collection

Hi Curtis
Yes the caboose is USA Trains. I can’t find any real life versions of this in online pics and so presume it is a “representation” of the real thing rather like many LGB offerings. I also suspect that I may have overpaid but hey-ho it’s not the end of the world.
Surprisingly, the fireman caused quite a sir at my local GScale meet today, I will hold on to a fora little while at least.

 

[Fred2179G]

Yes the caboose is USA Trains.

Au contraire, mon ami. That's an Aristo (ex-REA) caboose. Renowned for (a) being too tall and (b) breaking axles, as you discovered.

No reason you can't fit ordinary metal wheels, but some folk just cut a plastic tube and fit it over the break.

 

[Rhinochugger]

Au contraire, mon ami. That's an Aristo (ex-REA) caboose. Renowned for (a) being too tall and (b) breaking axles, as you discovered.

No reason you can't fit ordinary metal wheels, but some folk just cut a plastic tube and fit it over the break.

Over here (in the UK) it's difficult to get substitute wheels that fit Aristo - most of the standard ones are a little bit too fat and prevent the sprung axle boxes from operating smoothly Better off repairing the split plastic tube. I managed to slide a brass tube over a couple of mine.

 

[KeithT]

Au contraire, mon ami. That's an Aristo (ex-REA) caboose. Renowned for (a) being too tall and (b) breaking axles, as you discovered.

No reason you can't fit ordinary metal wheels, but some folk just cut a plastic tube and fit it over the break.

So it is!!
I have found some plastic tube to fit, thanks.

 

[curtis]

Au contraire, mon ami. That's an Aristo (ex-REA) caboose. Renowned for (a) being too tall and (b) breaking axles, as you discovered.

No reason you can't fit ordinary metal wheels, but some folk just cut a plastic tube and fit it over the break.

I may have confused this then. I believe that is the same as the one my FIL has (I recall his being orange). Next time I'm in SC, I'll have a look.

It's a chunky thing though. I recall it be quite heavy!

Surprisingly, the fireman caused quite a sir at my local GScale meet today, I will hold on to a fora little while at least.

No so surprising, I think. It's a great little oddity as you called out! Enjoy it