Are there any decent Erie cabooses on the market in HO? Bachmann makes one one the low iend of the spectrum. JJLModels makes one at the other end. ($50, without trucks and couplers.) Are there any others that are somewhere in between? I’m sorta surprise there aren’t more available.
The reason for asking is that, even though I model NYC, I bought two new of the Proto 2000 Alco S1s recently (#308 & #319) with the idea of running them on my club layout - whenever we get around to eventually building one. (Soon…hopefully soon.) I have enjoyed running them on my home layout to break them in.
If you are not an absolute stickler for accuracy, there are a number of bay window cabooses in HO from several manufacturers that you could paint ERIE or EL and be in the ball park if close enough is fine with you.
I have been out of HO for a long time so I am not familiar with the other models you refer to.
Quality craft made at least one and perhaps 2 different Erie wood cabloose kits that were pretty accurate, not sure availability any longer, but Ebay is always an option, I suppose one could obtain them there for probably under $50. If you are handy at wood kits that is a great option.
Erie had basically one style of steel coupola caboose, it was almost a centered coupola but not quite, with coup. flu***o the sides, came both rivited and welded construction, with betterndorf and retired milk car trucks. They are unique to the Erie and nothing reasonable close has been offered in plastic. They were offered in Brass long ago by Nickel Plate Products and I believe Overland, again a serach of ebay might turn one of tehse up but I suspect they will run you in excess of $100
I have a pair of very nice Erie bay window cabooses and I think they are by Atlas. I say I think because I am not at home right now. If I can plow through the snow tonight I’ll check them tomorrow, and let you know for sure. Whover made them, I’ll bet you can find them on ebay from time to time.
The Erie didn’t receive their first bay window cabs until 1953, so your best bet would be a center (ish) cupola caboose. If you’re looking for a midline representational model, I’d recommend the new Atlas Trainline Magor caboose: http://www.atlastrainman.com/HOFreight/tmhocupcab.htm
It’s actually a C&O prototype, but it’s pretty close to the C-100 series Erie cabs: http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/frt/erie-c100adb.jpg
(OK, it’s nowhere near close, but it’s about as good as you’re going to get without springing for brass or the JJL kit!)
Tom, I made it through the storm last night - not very bad, really - and checked out my caboose. It is not by Atlas. It is an Athearn model. The box (I kept it - don’t ask why) says “7466 Erie Bay Window Caboose C314.” It features separate handrails and grabs, not cast on. Nice paint and it’s a pretty good representation of the prototype. Have a merry Christmas and may you find a new caboose under the Christmas tree.