Prototype

When you live in the eastern United States and think of cabooses, a couple come directly to mind. The unique Pennsy N5C is one and the other is likely the “Northeastern” type center coupla caboose. These cabooses were the most commonly found in the eastern US with most railroads owning at least a couple. The Reading Company built almost 300 of these cabooses for their own use starting in 1924. They also sold them either assembled or in kit form to many other northeastern railroads. They served their original owners so well that they lasted long into railroads like Conrail, but were mostly phased out in the early 1980s, then being sold to shortline and tourist operators or scrapped. There are some, however, that live on at the Class 1 railroads to this day, most notably CNW 261531, a former Lehigh Valley car that still works in Union Pacific work train service.

Our Model

Our model of the NE Caboose is a faithful representation of this model and gives you many features to customize your car for your particular railroad. All cars have a design that requires riveting and welding to assemble your kit. Rivets, screw and bolt hardware and 1x2 tube steel center sill are included along with Precision Steel Car grab irons and brake gear along with exterior 3D printed smoke stack and steps. At time of order, you will be able to choose which type of car ends you would like to have. Options are blind end (no windows), single offset square window, double square window and “porthole” windows. You will also be able to choose which type of steps you would like, either standard 2 step or Lehigh Valley 3 step. Also available for an extra charge are the interior detail kit which includes lockers, coupla seats, beds, sink, stove, and conductor's desk. 3D printed under-car toolboxes are also available for purchase. Another item available for later cars is window plate-outs, which was common in the Conrail years and later. Trucks and couplers are not included. (Note… LSP loop shank couplers are recommended). We have partnered with Highball Graphics Decals as the recommended supplier of decals for this car. We have provided them with dimensions of the car so that they can make accurate vinyl decals for you. Visit their site by CLICKING HERE.

What’s in the kit?

The NE Caboose kit includes all you need (except trucks and couplers) to build your caboose. You’ll get:

• Laser Cut Steel Parts

• 1x2x.120 Tube Center Sill

• Precision Steel Car and Custom Formed Grab Irons and Details

• 3D Printed Smokestack and steps (Choice of 2 or 3 step steps)

• Rivets and Screws to complete the model

• Clear Plastic Windows (holes are pre-drilled!)

Also available for an additional charge is an interior kit that includes:

• Center lockers and cupola seats (2)

• Car End lockers (2)

• Bed bases (2)

• Stove

• Counter and sink

• Conductor’s Desk with pigeon hole organizer and seat

These parts are also available separately on our parts page in the store. You can access that by CLICKING HERE

Availability

The first run of these cars will be kits only, unless we’ve previously discussed your project. Our shops are currently too far behind schedule to build a large batch of assembled cabooses. We will re-run these cars at a later date for “factory assembled” cars, however if you really want one of these cars and would like to have it built later by us, we recommend buying now in case the price goes up or we decide not to re-run these cabooses again. We will not be making extra kits on this run. Orders close march 15!

Pricing

Order window will be open From March 1 to March 15. Kits should ship out (or be ready for pickup) mid April. Cars can be picked up at our shop or get FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the Lower 48 states. We can also ship internationally and would be happy to get you a shipping quote.

Price: NE Caboose Kit - $2300 Detail Kit - $365