Milw. caboose

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

If I have my history correct, The Milwaukee Road started producing their steel bay window caboose in 1939? Were these cabooses originally painted orange or were they first brown like the wood cabooses? I am just curious as to why they used orange instead of the traditional brown/caboose red colors of most other steam era railroads.

2

The Milwaukee Shops started production of rib-side steel cabooses in 1939. The original paint scheme was orange body and roof, with black steps and running board. There was no logo on the bay window, and they had maroon lettering at the top of the car -The Milwaukee Road. Here is a link to a picture of the delivery paint scheme:

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/932-7661

Jim

3

jim- as long as you addressed the subject, when was the walthers model 932-7632 [#992229] era of service? and also, when were the SD-45’s 4000 series re# to single digits? sorry to be a pest, but i always go to the expert. thanks. mike.

4

You’re referring to the International bay window cabooses. Not sure of exact date but I think those started production in the sixties. I think the Walthers model would be correct for a 1970’s or later layout.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/932-7632

Milwaukee used orange on passenger cars back into the 19th century I believe. Not sure when they started making cabooses orange but it could go pretty far back.

5

I do not have my Milw Steel Caboose book, but I suspect you are talking about the International bay window cabooses. They were delivered in the early 70’s. For the most part they ran on through Chicago-Tacoma trains(they had chemical toilets and were certified for use running through watershed areas in Washington State.

The SD45’s were purchased in 1968. The original numbers were 4000-4009. They were renumbered around 1973 to #6 - #15 - At this time they became Locotrol engines(early DPU) and were assigned to the western lines. With the ‘shutdown’ of the west end of the railroad in the late 70’s, they wandered back east and were used in many assignments - They were retired around 1984.

Jim