This caboose was built by the Swayne Lumber Company of Oroville Ca. and used by Swayne through to 1940. It was then sold to the West Side Lumber Company of Tuolumne, Ca. The car, upon arriving on the West Side, was almost immediately modified into the second of ultimately three versions of this car. In the 50's the car was wrecked and rebuilt resulting in the third version which this model represents. The car exists today on the West Side and Cherry Valley Railway.

• Each version of the caboose has a slightly different cupola.
• The step construction varies from one side to the other on the caboose.
• The West Side versions rode on the "drop Center" 3'-7" West Side trucks.
• The caboose has two air lines that pass from one end to the other.

Plans copyright Russ Simpson.

The model is based on the Russ Simpson kit for this caboose. The kit is comprised of sheet and strip wood along with Russ's own plastic castings for this car and the WSLCo trucks.
The model was assembled pretty much as the instructions described with the interior totaly scratch built. Of note:

• A false floor was added to hide the brass weight as the model is largely wood construction, would not be heavy enough to track well on the layout.
• The excellent Simpson brake parts were replaced / augmented with Grandt Line parts to adhere to the prototype rigging. All brake rigging includes unions, valves, etc have been included.
• Real glass used for all windows.
• All caboose steps were scratch built. The wire braced steps appear on one side only, each metal braced step on other side is different.
• Side handle railings are not symmetrical as per prototype.
• The interior detailing is based on general practices followed by the WSLCo and other logging railroads of the era.
• As the kit does not include interior details the following were scratch built:
  • All interior wall framing.
  • Cupola shelves
  • Work bench
  • Table
  • Stove
  • Box the cupola shelves.
• Both roofs were scratch built from styrene.

The inside is starting to take shape. The styrene cupola hasn't been permanently attached yet.

The Finished Model.

The finished model at the 2002 NFR Convention where it won first for cabooses.

The WSLCo Sand & Gravel Car #15 was rebuilt from the 24 ft flat car #15 in 1950.
The first flats were built by Carter Brothers, later by J.S. Hammand and finally by the West Side's own shops. These cars remained in service until the were replaced by the 38 foot skeleton cars in 1940.
These flats provided the basis for cabooses, tank cars, sand and gravel cars, wood block cars, box cars and went through several rebuildings over the years.

Prototype photo copyright Cliff Grandt

Drawing copy right Tech Design

This model was built from the Foothill Models resin kit for this particular car. This is an excellent kit that went together without a hitch. The trucks are also top quality.

Built in 1931. Rebuilt in 1950 from the 24' flat car no. 276.

Plans copyright Russ Simpson.

The model is derived from the Russ Simpson kit for the Sand & Gravel Car No. 15. I chose to convert this kit to #276 as we already had the Foothill Models resin kit for car No. 15.
It was a realtively simple task to do the conversion as the kit is comprised of sheet and strip wood along with Russ's own plastic castings.
The model was assembled pretty much as the instructions described with the exception of the shorter gondola box. Some of the special features on the car are:

• As the car was of wood consruction, it was very, very light. To help alleviate any tracking problems, I added some lead bird shot to the gondola then covered this up with some decomposed rock. Though the car weight isn't up to the NMRA recommended practice, its enough to provide satisfactory performance.
• The excellent Simpson brake parts were replaced / augmented with Grandt Line parts to adhere to the prototype rigging. All brake rigging includes unions, valves, etc have been included.
• To add interest to the car, a scratch built tool box was added to the deck. The box lid opens revealing a set of track tools, tie plates and rail joiners.
• A tow chain with hooks was added to the deck.
• The clevis rods ends were threaded.

	The car features a fully detailed under carriage. The rod ends are even threaded!	The scratch built tool box opens revealing track tools etc.
.	.

A wooden water tank car body was found by Russ Simpson near the River Bridge in 1984. Historically, it appears the WSLCo had a total of 18 cars it referred to as water cars. As the cars themselves did not carry any numbers, it is difficult to determine which one of the 18 this one was.

Plans copyright Russ Simpson.

The flat car portion of the car under construction.

West Side Narrow Gauge in the Sierra	Mallory Hope Farrell	Library of Congress #79-89696
Last of the 3 foot Loggers	Allan Krieg	Library of Congress #63-2212