Searching For A Caboose

Back in March of 2018 the Arizona Southern decided to create a standard steel caboose design. We had settled on some used bay window cars acquired from Southern Pacific. The painting and other work was not a priority so only got done as time allowed between more pressing projects. The first of the two planned cars has finally hit the rails and is presented here.

Arizona Southern 6033, seen here fresh from the shop, well sort of.

A few shortcuts were taken and this is where we wound up. Most of the real work was in extending the roof overhang to something a bit closer to reality. I never used to notice this, but now I see it almost instantly on non corrected Athearn caboose models. I'm just happy that most of the other dimensions are a lot closer to what they need to be, otherwise we'd still be looking for a "modern" caboose car style. Really did not want to go with a wide vision after hearing all the Santa Fe rails complain about the ride and the noise. So some used C-40-4's are what was needed.

Thanks for reading this far. Comment or write back should the mood strike, and as always, Enjoy Your Trains.

John Huey

Boxcars, Boxcars, and more Boxcars...

The backlog of boxcars needing finishing seems to keep growing. New needs keep popping up other than just general service. Copper ingots and copper anodes being among the newest equipment needs on the railroad. The discovery of high grade copper ore between Siete Madres and Borachon has meant a big increase in copper ingots and anodes heading east for further refining and Arizona Southern is returning to service a number of older boxcars once they have been upgraded to meet the demands of this service.

More insulated plug door boxcars are entering service as well, these find a home in food service as well as many other products where the climate of a reefer is not required, but a cleaner environment is still desired. One of these plug door cars is seen here being moved from the paint shop by borrowed motive power. This is a vented car to help with equalizing pressures when opening.

Here's a broadside shot of the newer graphics seen on all the post 1975 painted equipment.

The need for updated equipment never seems to end. As long as a need exists, this railroad intends to meet that need.

A Side Note:
If you look at Arizona Southern equipment over the decades, you'll note more than one "hue" of boxcar red in use. Not only do manufacturers and suppliers change up formulas, but we at the AZSO also buy up surplus paints from other railroads. Sometimes to finish a project we mix more than one paint brand to have enough to finish painting everything. It's called being frugal.


Write or comment if the mood strikes,


John Huey

Transfers of Interest

Most of the time transfer power is fairly mundane, a collection of whatever the transferring railroad has available. On the SP it's frequently some SD39's or a SD45 variant. Santa Fe uses a CF7 with a GP7 much of the time although they too have their moments, even the odd F Unit may show up.

Our trading partners to the south though, frequently show up with something a bit more unusual. Case in point was one transfer last week where a FCP C628 and NdeM GP35 were in charge of the transfer run; pretty unique set as the GP35 was one of the rare high hood units. A photo follows:

So as in real life, variety is the spice that keeps things interesting, and this translates into our models too. Same old place, same old thing is never as cool as, Hey look at that!

Another transfer, one from the Southern Pacific can be seen below, it features a pair of SD39's doing the heavy lifting:

One SW1500 does it all on a very light day.

Oh, and we can't forget our own power on transfer runs, so here we see some of that.

Don't be too judgmental of my AZSO power, 99% of it was built and painted back in the late 1980's from what was available. Much of what I use for the railroad is in that same boat. The funds to upgrade just never happened and I'm content with the models as they are.

Well, that's all for now, just wanted to add a little text so if anybody is watching they will know I'm still out and about.

As always, thanks for reading this far and please, Enjoy Your Trains!

Write or comment if the mood strikes,

John Huey

Another Mexican Restaurant

Well, looks like the urban renewal in one of the sleepy little towns served by the Arizona Southern is having a tiny growth spurt down near the tracks. The little cantina has a new owner and seems the family is resurrecting the old eatery next door and turning it into a mexican restaurant. I think their idea is to have a shaded patio area between the two establishments where patrons of either place can mingle. The way I see things, it sounds like a great idea and should be popular when the yard crews and the local shop crew get off in the evening. That and the liquor licence is grandfathered in with the cantina so two birds are getting handled at the same time.

This quick photo is actually stolen from the FOS Scale Models website as I just ordered the kit tonight after selling another item unexpectedly on eBay. This kit is from 2005 and the quantity is limited so I thought I should pick it up before I'm sorry I did not.

I emailed the company and they told me that facade is laser cut wood and they include a coating to make all that look like plaster. It sorta gives one an old Taco Bell vibe without building something that really would not fit in with the 'flavor' of the small town. I get the feeling a small diorama is in my future, something that can just be added to the town across the road from the railroad yard.


August 10th Update:

Took a few pics of the structure as far as I've been able to get is so far. I have not added the major signage yet, that will happen when the building gets a permanent home on the new layout. For now we just have the 4 painted walls and a few details up on the roof; the rest will have to wait.

Put in a metal plate to help protect the wood siding from that tall exhaust pipe.

We did want the mural to look a little fresher than on the kits directions;
this will be an operating business.

Added a swamp cooler to the roof and window shade to the restroom window.

 

That's all for now, write back if the mood strikes you. Enjoy your trains!

Best wishes,

John Huey

CEO Arizona Southern RR