Of all the cabooses available from Walthers, which one would be the most suitable behind a mid fifties Big boy?
I don’t know anything about cabooses so I’m at a loss here. In fact, I’m almost embarrassed to say do not own a single caboose. That’s right, I’m out of the closet. So if anyone could help me out I would be glad. It should preferably be available from Walther since that is the easiest and cheapest way of getting stuff here to Sweden.
Magnus
Magnus,
Of the cabooses listed on Walther’s website, Intermountain #85-1066 most closely matches pictures I have in my reference books for the time period. There are two others listed, but the size of the print and one has the safety sign and I don’t know when they started changing to that scheme. All three of the Intermountain models are shown as out of stock except for special orders.
Marklin (Trix) has one, #441-T24904, that is period correct, but it’s shown out of stock as well.
This isn’t much help, I’m afraid, but atleast you can see the style that would be correct for the fifties.
I would think this one was the most suitable for your era:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/932-7543
OOS at Walthers, but can probably be had from a retailer or eBay.
Tom
Magnus
Most of the CA3 or CA4 caboose models with the four number series in Armour Yellow color is correct for the early fifities and late forties. If you go back to the 1946 era, the CA3’s and dome of the CA4’s were in a dull box car red.
The billboard or sign era is not for the early fifties.
I use several Overland, Westsides and have the centrialia Car Shops models also.
Centralia Car Shops made # CCS1066-02 that is an early Union Pacific CA3 with roof walks and is numbered 3739. If you can find one, it is correct for your era and looks good.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Thanks for the advice guys. I must say that I was disappointed with the looks of the Intermountain caboose. 50 bucks for that. There must be more to that then that picture is telling.
When did they start with the safety white?
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/932-7544
I really apreciate when you guys give either a number or a link. It makes it so much easier to find things. Once again thanks.
Magnus
That was plenty of help. I was able to find that specific Trix caboose in Sweden! And for only 50$. Which is good for Sweden. I bought forty Trix box cars yesterday and this will fit perfectly.
Magnus
Magnus,
I’m really glad my post was helpful, I only wish I had the same choices in N scale.
All my cabooses, from Microtrains and Atlas, are just repaints on other designs and not really appropriate for UP.
Well, there’s always hope that some manufacturer will step up and do some for us in N.
This is a great choice! That TRIX CA-3 is a very good model, nice detail and great quality! Unfortunately TRIX has done numerous errors on many other of their products, but this UP Caboose is really fine. You will find that it has a complex Euro-style coupler swinging mechanism. I removed this - which is easy - and installed a KADEE #232 box with #153 scale whisker coupler. TRIX even provided the mounting holes for that box! I simply screwed it on and the coupler height is fine.
Thanks for telling me. Saves me a question which would have come up and the irritation while not understanding it! [:D]
Magnus
That is a CA1 and they were used but were been phased out in the Fiftes due to their age and the fact they were wood, not steel. They certainly can be used and you will see them used in the fifties, but the mainstay was the newer CA3 and CA4. Many of the older CA1’s were still in red.
They make the CA1 with all of the hardware installed and that is the preferred model. All of the CA1’s, CA3’s and CA4’s can be used to give variety.
Cheers