N.Y.C.S. Pacemaker Cabooses:

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

Hi all,

I have asked the following question on the “Train” forum, but so far without any replies.

I now ask this forum, as the members, also being model railroaders, understand and are helpful:

ttp://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/198417.aspx

Thank you,

Ralph

2

Ralph,

FWIW, I have only seen Pacemaker cabooses with the low cupola. That doesn’t mean that the higher center cupola versions didn’t exist. It would mean that the latter would only be found on the Big 4 routes though.

Sorry I could be more help…

Tom

3

While I have no photographic proof, all the NYC Pacemaker Cabooses were converted from Lot 732 Cabooses, which were in turn converted from old boxcars in that same lot. There were 50 cabooses in this lot #20100-20149. The Pacemaker Cabooses were numbered 20112, 20117, 20129, 20132, and 20133.

So therefore I assume all were the low cupola cabooses.

http://www.canadasouthern.com/caso/NYC-MODELS-CABOOSE.htm

Rick J [2c]

4

tstage and dti406,

Thank you both for your information.

I thought, the five original Pacemaker cabs. were of a low, off centered cupola, which stayed that way.

I have seen scale models made with extended/wide vision cupolas, which I thought were unauthentic, but then, that’s why I am asking.

Take Care,

Ralph

5

Yes, there were only a handful and they were longer, “standard” cabooses because, as the previous poster mentioned, rebuilt from boxcars. They had the low “turret” cupolas just like the other 18000 and 19000 wood standards. IIRC, these cars had been built from 36’ wood box cars during WWII. Not all of the longer rebuilt box car cabooses were painted in the Pacemaker scheme. The NYC resheathed these cars on the outside with with plywood or sheet metal to give them a more modern appearance.

The NYCSHS did a comprehensive series of articles on NYC cabooses including these some years ago. NJ International put out a few small soft cover books on NYC cabooses including color photos with plans. The NYCSHS has plans and a painting diagram I believe. Overland did these cars in HO.

6

wabash2800,

Thank you for your info.

I appreciate your help.

Ralph

7

I have posted links about my Pacemaker caboose and some prototype Pacemaker caboose info here. Search the archives for NYC pacemaker by my screen name. I will let you find the links. Since you know how to get here, you will be able to search yourself.

They will be under the Model Railroader forum. Have fun. I have the NYC book of all the prototypes also. I found the book about two years ago as I was finding a lot of opinions and few facts here.

Rich

8

richg1998,

Thank you, for your info. and help.

Ralph

9

For those who did not search for the link.

http://www.canadasouthern.com/caso/NYC-MODELS-CABOOSE.htm

http://caboosenut.com/Cab_New_York_Central_Caboose.htm

http://www.canadasouthern.com/caso/images/nyc-20132.jpg

They were used only on the NYC line and some bridges where a little low for some of the standard height caboose cupolas the NYC had. The Pacemaker freight cars where not used in interchange.

I had found a unpainted brass model for $75.00 on line and had a friend paint it up for me.

Rich

10

richg1998,

Again, thank you for all of your help and great links.

Sincerely,

Ralph