Re: Rio Grande NG Class 5 Caboose Roofs

[drgw0579.home.comcast.net]

When it came time to coat the roof, we covered the entire wood surface with a layer of Indocryle (sp?). This was a synthetic tar-like substance that the C&TS had used on other cars. The manufacturer apparently went out of business and they bought up the inventory.

With the roof covered with a thick layer of the goop, we laid a solid piece of canvas down and let the Indocyrle soak through. Then we covered that with another layer of the stuff. We stretched the canvas tight and fastened it at the edges.

As it turns out, while we got a whole lot done that week (see the web page) it was late Friday afternoon before we got started on this work. The weather had cooled substantially (and was about to rain) and the stuff was barely workable. Marvin had warned us that if we didn't to do this in sunlight the stuff wouldn't adhere properly. When we came back the next year, we found one area had separated. Another coat was applied and it hasn't been touched since.

Bill Kepner
0579 Racing Team