Steam & Excursion > Finding caboose trucks

I’ve been contacted by someone who recently acquired WW1 era wooden caboose. It appears to be in pretty good shape but it lacks caboose trucks (or indeed, any trucks at all). Owner would like to find historically plausible caboose trucks to put under it. 

Anybody know of a likely source?

He should be checking with any local museums, or railroad museums local to the cabooses native road, if he hasn't already.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/20 20:06 by ChrisCampi.

 What gauge?  What style trucks?  Arch bar trucks?  Vulcan trucks?

Connecticut Antique Machinery Asso. had rebuilt the Tionesta Valley logging railroad caboose years ago and are still looking for 3'9" wheel base arch bar truck for it of 3' gauge with good wheels.  They have SS&S trucks from VA that are good for display in trade for good wheels that can carry passenger.

PlyWoody Wrote:
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>  What gauge?  What style trucks?  Arch bar
> trucks?  Vulcan trucks?
>
> Connecticut Antique Machinery Asso. had rebuilt
> the Tionesta Valley logging railroad caboose years
> ago and are still looking for 3'9" wheel base arch
> bar truck for it of 3' gauge with good wheels. 
> They have SS&S trucks from VA that are good for
> display in trade for good wheels that can carry
> passenger.

If you just want something to roll on...there's two bad order cabs in Lynchburg Va at Sandy Hook that CSX might accept minimal money for....you'd have to take the whole thing of course not just the trucks....

If you do a search here there are a few photos of standard gauge wood cabooses abandoned in the woods that are way beyond repair but still with trucks. Perhaps a deal could be made to haul the debri out for the trucks. I agree that contacting a museum or historical society might turn up something surplus. Your friend missed your big change with the Indiana Transportation Museum debacle unless someone hauled trucks out for scrap or they are still there.

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/12/20 13:33 by wabash2800.

engineerinvirginia Wrote:
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 > If you just want something to roll on...there's
> two bad order cabs in Lynchburg Va at Sandy Hook
> that CSX might accept minimal money for....you'd
> have to take the whole thing of course not just
> the trucks....

Engineerinvirginia.  You are quoting the wrong quest as the CAMA note was for looking for ng wheels to run on surely would not be found on CSX in Lynchburg, VA.  Been looking for years but none available at price CAMA wants to pay.

The person looking for wheels for his new buy did not even say what gauge or what railroad was the caboose origin.  There are SG trucks all around and he can first start by searching Google for what style he wants.  Then he can check with the many used equipment dealers.