VGN C-1 in Lynchburg

[NW Mailing List]

Ed

I cannot totally address how the cab was done, as I was not there. But it was totally disassembled down to the frame and measurements were made from the pieces. To my knowledge, there is no existing set of drawings for the C-1 body. The Society has only a handful of drawings relating to the C-1, I don’t know if most were discarded prior to or right at the merger, so they never made it to N&W or not.

At least 20 years ago, when they first started, I provided them with a copy of the general arrangement drawing, which gives a lot of good dimensions, but is now missing in my collection. Since it was a folded blueprint, it has been filed in a folder, rather than the drawing cabinets.

I think it is a pretty reasonable replica, but I’ve not seen it in person. One of the biggest issues on a job like this, is most wood sizes were different dimensions when those cabs were built, and almost everything now that is standard is smaller, such as a common 2x4 measured 2x4, today it is more like a finished size of 1.5 x 3.5. The same with car siding boards are now different. So, you either adapt to smaller sizes, or get new lumber custom cut. 

I think it was four summers ago, that the cab was lettered. I can tell you that was done correctly, as I provided stencils for that part. I am very picky on lettering, and back in 1989 made a huge effort to seek out the last remaining Virginian painted caboose and traced the original lettering and recreated it over the winter, full size, and on my drawing board. That is where the art for Richard Shell’s VGN caboose decals came from. 

Like you, I’ve not seen it in person, but the photos at the time looked great to me.

Best
Ken Miller



> On Apr 12, 2021, at 8:27 PM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
> 
> The Virginian caboose here in Lynchburg was reassembled and painted red but it wasn't lettered the last time I saw it. Its my understanding that the folks who "restored" it may have done so in a rather "freelance" fashion without reference to plans. Their intentions were good and its better than having it rot away, but it may not be an accurate representation of a Virginian cab now. I will say that it looks okay to me, but I have not done a close-up inspection. -Ed Burnett, Lynchburg, Virginia
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>> Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2021 09:31:58 -0400
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>> Whatever happened to the Virginian wooden caboose in Lynchburg? Was that ever reassembled and if so painted?Ken Tanner (Kid on a hill run )