McCabe Rail Facility

John McCabe's large logging company and sawmill complex relies on locomotives and cars being ready when needed to do the job. This requires a round-the-clock effort of McCabe's railroad men and their facilities to provide servicing and repairs.

The Rail Facility is the next component for the McCabe Lumber Company series of HO craftsman kits. Like the sawmill complex, the Rail Facility will be offered in individual kits so you can pick and choose what you need for your layout. Some of these kits are offered in both standard gauge and narrow gauge versions, but most kits will work for either.

Please note that more information, photos, pricing, and footprint sizes are on each specific kit web page. Click on the links below, or in the box at the left, for more information.

Here are the layouts for the two versions - standard and narrow gauge - showing the track plan. Note that there have beeen small changes in the layout and sizes as the series progresses. The HO diorama shown measures 38" x 22" and the standard gauge version is shown. O version is about 70" x 40".

Click here for a Hi-Res version.

Click here for a Hi-Res version.

Please note that more information, photos, pricing, and footprint sizes are on each specific kit web page. Click on the links below, or in the box at the left, for more information. Links to the new kits will be active as soon as the kits are ready.

Two-Stall Engine House, Narrow Gauge - The keystone for this facility is the recently re-engineered, enlarged, and renamed old Coyote Draw Engine House; it is now the McCabe Two-Stall Engine House. The narrow gauge version will handle up to a pair of HOn3 locos up to a scale 64' long.

Two-Stall Engine House, Standard Gauge - While having the same architectural features of the narrow gauge version, this one can store a pair of 2-6-6-2s up to a scale 104' long and it features a run-thru stall. Photos will be posted soon as the final details are being added before the photo shoot.

Both engine house kits include interior framing, flooring, positionable windows and doors, removable roofs, individual battens that can be left off for a board siding, workbenches, ladders, and the usual assortment of brass and white metal details.

Water Tank - No steam locomotive gets far without water. This is the McCabe standard, unsophisticated 20,000-gallon tank that is seen in many places on the line. The kit consists of laser-cut basswood and plywood, styrene, and detail castings. A sheet of laser-cut, see-through �water� is included.

Oil Tank - The locomotive fuel was switched from wood to oil years ago and this tank handles the job of fueling the locomotives. An old tank car body has been placed on a sturdy timber frame. The pump house is included. The kit consists of styrene tank and oil column castings, laser-cut wood components, and detail castings.

Sand House & Tower - Sand is needed for traction on the steep logging grades. The sand house, consisting of a storage bin and drying facility, is on one side of the track with the tower between the two engine tracks with overhead piping connecting the two. The kit consists of laser-cut basswood and plywood, styrene, and detail castings. No interior is included for the drying facility.

Car Repair Shop - Log cars take a lot of abuse and this is the place where they are patched and put back into service. The car repair shop kit includes interior framing, flooring, positionable windows and doors, removable roof, individual battens that can be left off for a board siding, workbenches, ladders, and the usual assortment of brass and white metal details. Included is a flatcar body that is being rebuilt.

Timber Gantry - Heavy lifting is usually needed during repairs and maintenance. This manually-operated hoist spans two tracks and includes the tool house. The kit includes laser-cut wood & cardstock components, nut-bolt-washer castings, an assembled brass hoist mechanism, and an assortment of brass and white metal junk and clutter details.

Machine Shop - The only way to keep rail equipment running is to be able to make replacement parts. Drill presses, mills, lathes, and other metal working equipment are used here. The machine shop kit includes interior framing, flooring, positionable windows and doors, removable roof, individual battens that can be left off for a board siding, shelving, and workbenches. Appropriate machinery is not included since many excellent pieces are already available from Rio Grande Models and others.

Blacksmith Shop - Often a part needs to be created from raw metal. The smith uses old, time-proven technology to shape and form many of the parts needed around the facility. The blacksmith shop kit includes interior framing, flooring, positionable windows and doors, removable roof, hearth, anvil, and an assortment of brass and white metal details.

Office - No matter what organization it is, there is always paperwork to do. The office provides a place for the superintendent to do his job of scheduling, ordering, and reporting. McCabe's office was once one of the bunk cars used in the woods, but now has been stripped of its underframe and totally reworked inside. The office kit includes interior details, positionable windows and doors, and removable roof.

Shop Water Tank - Water is needed in the shops and this tank provides it and the water needed in case of fire. This is a smaller version of the same style tank McCabe built over at the sawmill. The kit consists of laser-cut basswood and plywood, styrene, and detail castings.

Derelict Shay - Nothing lasts forever, and this two-truck Shay has a crack in the firebox near the flue sheet that costs more to repair than the scrap value of the locomotive. This kit provides the components and detailed guidance then relies on your ingenuity to finish it up as you want. Available in both HO and HOn3. This is not intended to be a powered model.

Speeder Shed - The McCabe Speeders need a place to rest out of the weather and this open-sided shed at least puts a roof over the speeder. The kit consists of laser-cut basswood and plywood, and detail castings.

Crew Quarters - The crew, both train and shop workers, need a place to crash after a long day. The kit consists of a plastic car body, laser-cut basswood and plywood, and detail castings.