A Milwaukee, Racine & Troy offset-cupola caboose kit is now available at Shop.Trains.com. The model, produced by ScaleTrains and part of the manufacturer’s Kit Classics line, has an injection-molded plastic body with a separate cupola and underbody.
Kit features
Steel cabooses like this were a staple on our freelance HO scale railroad for many years. The model depicts what the cars would have looked like from the 1950s to the late 1970s, before they were repainted in the red-and-black scheme.
The easy-to-build kit uses former MTH tooling that ScaleTrains acquired in 2021. A hobby knife, small Phillips screwdriver, hobby glue, and tweezers are needed to assemble the caboose.
Most of the body details are molded, including the side and end grab irons, cupola handrail, and running boards. The running boards feature woodgrain and fastener detail. The smokejack is a separate, modeler-installed part.
The end railing and ladder assemblies, with modeler-installed brake wheels, are made of flexible engineering plastic. The formed-wire ladder loops are painted black to match the roof.
Factory-cut clear styrene is included for the side, end, and cupola windows. The manufacturer recommends using Canopy Glue, Woodland Scenics Hob-E-Tac, or Microscale Kristal Klear to attach the glazing; I used Canopy Glue.
The kit includes plastic semi-scale Type E knuckle couplers with separate metal centering springs. The draft-gear box covers are secured with screws. The couplers don’t have metal trip pins.
Measuring up
Much of the model’s 3.3 ounces come from a pair of steel weights. They’re secured to the top of the underbody with a pair of self-tapping ring-head screws with separate plastic washers.
The car rides on screw-mounted solid-bearing caboose trucks with metal wheelsets. Molded underbody details include the center sills, crossmembers, tool box, and brake appliances.
The model’s dimensions match drawings of an Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe steel offset-cupola caboose published in the September 1991 MR. The brown and black paint is neatly applied, and all of the lettering is crisp.
The HO scale MR&T caboose is offered in three road numbers. Head over to Shop.Trains.com to place your order.
Facts & features
Price: $29.99
Manufacturer
Produced by ScaleTrains
4901 Old Tasso Rd. NE
Cleveland, TN 37312
scaletrains.com
Available from Shop.Trains.com
Era: April 1950 to late 1970s
Road name: Milwaukee, Racine & Troy RR in three road numbers (1407, 1410,
and 1423)
Features
- Body-mounted semi-scale plastic Type E knuckle couplers, at correct height
- 33″ machined metal wheelsets with .110″ wheel tread, correctly gauged
- Minimum radius, 18″
- Weight: 3.3 ounces, .1 ounce too light per National Model Railroad Association Recommended Practice 20.1
