N scale 25' Wood Caboose

This N scale model represents GN 25-foot cabooses after their 1940s modernization. The model features 100% laser cut components with custom laser scribed side and end walls, Tab & Slot and Peel & Stick construction, laser cut underframe, end platforms, ladders. end railing, and brake wheels, with cast resin platform steps, plastic smoke jack, and cast resin brake gear. Fully illustrated instructions provide information on painting and decaling the assembled model and several fixtures to aid the modeler in creating all the hand brakes and ladders to match the prototype. The manufacturer recommends Microscale GN decal set No. 60-757, Atlas No. 22061 friction bearing caboose trucks, and Micro Trains No. 1015-1 universal body mount couplers to complete the model.

Cabooses served several important functions. They were the conductor’s office. The conductor made a list of cars set out at each station, which he left, along with the associated waybills, at agency stations. He also picked up a switch list from agency stations, along with the waybills for loaded cars. He made a list of all cars handled, where they came from and where they were set out that went to the car accounting clerks in St. Paul. Switching of local trains was done by the swing brakeman, or rear brakeman if no swing man. Those brakemen rode the caboose so that they and the conductor could plan the switching at the stations they would serve. Both brakemen kept a watch on the train for hotboxes, while the conductor watched the track behind the train for drag marks or cut ties which indicated some problem with the train. The caboose was equipped with a brake valve so the conductor could stop the train if necessary. The rear brakeman acted as the flagman who walked behind the train to flag down a following train if his train stopped on the main track. Finally, the caboose carried the markers, which were lanterns, flags, or lights that indicated the rear of the train.

Twenty-five-foot cabooses X 330 – X 626 and X 637 – X 749, a total of 410 cars, were built between 1907 and 1930. The first 147, X 330 – X 446, originally built as four wheel ‘bobber’ style cars, were converted to 25-foot long cars 32’ 10” long over the strikers starting in 1911 to meet length requirements imposed by various states.

The following cars were 33’ 5” over the strikers, all built by the GN at St. Cloud.

X – 447 through X – 576 were built 1920 – 1924.

X – 577 through X – 601 were built 1925.

X – 602 through X – 626 were built 1926.

X – 637 through X – 749 were built 1927 – 1930.

The majority of these cars were retired in the 1960’s after working their last years in branch line and local service. One was renumbered to Pacific Coast Railroad X 1 in 1958, and evidently destroyed, since another was renumbered to Pacific Coast Railroad X 1 in 1962. The only one of these cars known to be repainted to Big Sky Blue is X - 394.