Ztrack is now taking reservations for AZL's 2010 Z Scale National Convention special release car. The car is a Southern Pacific C-30-5 bay window caboose. This car was only available to those who attended the Z scale convention in Medford. Due to high demand, AZL has decided to open reservations to all Z scalers for a limited period. Reservations will be accepted through May 31st. Only 144 of the SP convention cabooses will be produced. There will be three distinct road numbers offered. Supplies are limited, and once we reach 144 cars, no more orders will be accepted. The cabooses are $57.00 each which includes domestic shipping and handling. Anticipated delivery is June. To order, please visit the following link: Ztrack Magazine: SP Caboose Order Page Incidentally, cabooses such as these are still in use today. See the link for a below from an image that was just posted on RailPictures.net. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=322855&nseq=275 Rob
caboose looks good. It's a c-30-5 & c-30-6 baywindow perfect for SP modelers from the 40's till present. http://espee.railfan.net/sp_c-30-05.html http://espee.railfan.net/sp_c-30-06.html If I still was doing Z I'd be all over these like Bees to Flowers :tb-biggrin:
John, For starters, we saw samples of Chessie, UP, Southern, among others I beleive. I don't know beans about roads that ran them, but those were examples on the table........very pretty.
Loren - Saw those just wondering what others besides Chessie, UP, Southern. Rob K, et all - Anyone know what other RR's used the C-30-5? John
I have about 200 shots so far...but close proto's would be, but not specifically the SP version: WS, Chessie, NW, CNW, CSX, RI, BO, NKP, CR, Southern, UP, Cotton Belt, Erie...and, drum roll... Long Island. They had a different side coupla...a few had them removed and plated over...blue with yellow ends. I have a shot if you are interested. There were a bunch of them all over the country, but most had different details. The version we did at MTL in N scale was one of the newer versions without roof walks. Joe MTL
trucks Actually, the first SP Bay Window Caboose types including the C-30-5 used Bettendorf trucks or rather Barber-Bettendorf. The noticeble, but very small difference is that the caboose trucks had leaf springs and freight cars used coil springs. This "little" change to our mold would easily added $6-8 for each caboose. We chose not to do this.
2nd and 3rd Bay Window production It is safe to say that further roadnames will be added to the Bay Windows with later runs.
Joe - Thanks. No need for the photos, got a great LIRR caboose web site LIRR Caboose Photos You are correct, different side coupla (shorter) and different window configurations (depending). Kitbashing possiblities. Rob K or Hans - Would you please tell us the length of the C-30-5 in Z scale feet (minus the couplers)? Are they made of injected plastic or brass? Sorry for all the questions, just curious. John John
John, They scale out to 36'. The caboose are injection with many add on details. These are heavy little guys! Rob
John, these are plastic. Note: the couplers are in really close to the ends of the car, MUCH closer than all the other Z, makes for much nicer looking coupled lengths. However, I in real proto pix (like Rob's link and, at the Railroad Park in Dunsmuir) I saw quite a bit of coupler extention, likey for shock reduction in the widow maker car. Still, I really love these long awaited cars ! .
AZL is expecting the caboose to ship form the manufacturer this week. I am going to estimate 2-3 weeks out to be on the safe side. This is with the usual * concerning shipping times, quality checks, and my nap schedule. Rob
