Here is a caboose resting at a local greasy spoon. The number was 10971. I looked and didn't find a builders plate. What make/model is it, when was it built?
Hmmm. That number is BN. So maybe somebody has some BN roster info, which could tell it's origin. I remember the branch line local, in my old home town. Rolled by my grade school every day with a similar style NP caboose. Way back in the 1950's, and early 1960's. Sure miss those days. Boxcab E50
Because the cupola extends to the edge of the roof and it has the wider top border slat I'm going to say a 1200 Series caboose. Interesting trucks,. those look like high speed freight trucks and I've never seen a 24' NP caboose with them. My guess...added later.
In the book "NP Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment" is a picture (page 123) of NP Caboose 1367, which appears to be dead-on. Cheers Dirk
According to the 1973 BN annual (published by "Motive Power Services"), caboose #10971 was a 24' wood caboose built by PC&F in 1921. This book does not show a direct BN number to NP number cross, but does show that the NP cabooses were from the 1700 and 10700 series. Dan
The Caboose is one of the 24 foot NP cabooses from 1921 as stated. Many were painted in BN colours in the early BN era. The wood cabooses were all taken out of service in 1975 and replaced by steel extended vision cabooses. A model in HO Scale can be had from Laser Kit/American Model Builders the kit number is 871. As for the trucks on the caboose in the photo they look like express reefer trucks and are not the trucks the car would have had on the NP.
I just saw an NP caboose just like this today for the first time on 167- sb thru Kent, Wa. this morning!! I've lived here 20+ years, taken that highway 100's of times, and never seen her till now! It looked in really good shape, too! Anyone have any info on this one, before I go knock on the owner's door?
