Hi folks - just discovered TrainBoard and this HO list. One of the reasons I enjoy modeling present day CSX is that they still use a number of their former Chessie C-27A bay window cabooses (built by FGE). They are used on local trains where a lot of switching is involved - I believe both for safety/visibility, and also so the guys in the cab don't have to walk all the way to the end of a train to cut off of car. I bought two unpainted Overland Chessie cabeese and had one of them custom painted in CSX's Operation Redblock/Lifesaver safety scheme. I'll eventually paint the other one myself. ------------------ Dave Railfanning & modeling modern CSX http://www.trainweb.org/marcrailfan/ [This message has been edited by drolsen (edited 21 August 2000).]
I forgot that BNSF has at least one ex SF caboose here. I saw it again along with 3456(which had the middle windows plated over- ) The caboose is covered in graphiti...
I too love cabooses. I have had a lot of fun lately modeling the various types of cabeese that BN inherited from its predecessors. I have built a GN Northeastern caboose kit, and an NP Gloor Craft kit. These wood kits were a challenge to find, and a pleasure to build. Wood is so forgiving. I am currently scratchbuilding the GN streamlined caboose using an Athearn Bay Window frame, floor and roof. Of course all of these kits wear beautiful Cascade Green. Remember, the end of your train should be just as interesting and important as the beginning. It's the final impression!
My mid 60's early 70's Rock Island uses cabooses. It makes the operation more challenging when your local gets to its destination and has to make all of the extra moves to get the cabose on the end. The Rock Island also would not allow covered hoppers next to their cabooses so an idler car must be placed there. I do remember the Rock Island in 1979 until shutdown not having cabooses on some of their trains. (Before the major move to remove them on all railroads) It would not be unusual to see a piggy-back train or any other long freight with just a flag or a "new" flashing red STAR marker. The road was in such bad shape that so many of their cabooses were layed up bad order.
Since I have a Caboose ready track over close to the roundhouse, I put the big (mallet) road engine in its stall, then break out an 0-4-0 and run get the caboose and set it on the caboose track. Then The 0-4-0 is put up and an 0-8-0 switches the cars.SURE I RUN CABEESES! ------------------ Watash
Our Bad Order Shops do service Cabooseses's for all roads in need, and have several Lease Cabeese for instant fill-in. What's a train without a Caboose? ------------------ Watash
Hey Charlie! Im a FRISCO man too! And a railroad that runs without crummies, is just that...crummy! Sorry guys, but not having a cab fleet is like America minus the Apple Pie! All in fun! Take care! God Bless! Randy SLSFFRISCOKID ...
speaking of cabeeses, who makes a good looking RTR 1930's or so model or a kit that is easy to put together. I like wooden sided 3 or 4 window models? ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine. Member #33
Hey Chris! Guys, here a heads up! I've had great sucess with Accurail. I wrote them back a ways when I saw them coming out with the 40FT Double Sheaths without FRISCO in the lineup. I explained to them that FRISCO had the largest fleet in the land. To leave her out would be a shame. Accurail almost immediately ( 2 days ) responded with adding her to the lineup. I also asked them to build a composite gondola, woodside, and: A 30FT WOODSIDE, CENTER CUPOLA CABOOSE! They, at that time, were seriously considering doing that caboose. They wanna here from people! WELL, HERE'S OUR CHANCE! With the $$$ were shelling out these days for the good quality, low availability selections, WE SHOULD HAVE A VOICE! Lets collectively join together as professionals and tell the manufacturer's what we want. They can't ignore us forever! ...or can they?....its up to us! ALL ABOARD! Ship it! Randy SLSFFRISCOKID
I model the Seaboard Air Line in the summer of 1966. You bet I have cabeese, lots of them. SAL 5600's and 5700's are the main ones that I use. However, I do have some old woodies hangin on for a bit longer. Denis F. Blake Columbus, OH TTHOTS
Yes. My Alpine Pacific Railway is set in 1976. Cabooses were still in vogue then. I think that a train wothout a caboose is incomplete.
Yes, got to have a hack on the end!. They have so much character. I could run just locos and cabeese and be happy! Joe D
I model B&M in the 1950s-1960s so yeah I use cabooses (cabeese?). There is always reason to use a caboose - just invent one. This photo was taken in 2011 and NS still uses a caboose on that line to this day. It's used as a shoving platform because there is no runaround track at the tire plant serviced at the end of the line. On the return trip the locomotive is in the lead so the caboose can be anywhere in the consist.
For my layout under construction, Santa Fe through freight trains and locals will use cabooses, running between Santa Fe Island Yard and distant points (Demara Yard open staging). Cabooses will NOT be used on: "City" switching of Santa Fe-served industries Transfer runs to the port switching railroad Operation of the Port Railroad
