Standardized components gave International cabooses a family appearance, but each caboose was built to match individual railroad specifications. This accounts for the numerous variations in their overall dimensions, cupola size, window sizes and locations, and optional fittings. Caboose specifications even varied from order to order for the same railroad.
Obviously, with so many prototype variations, it would be commercially impractical to have tooling made for each version. Instead, Atlas followed a “typical” 1960s car that’s close to prototypes International built for the Great Northern; Gulf, Mobile & Ohio; and the Maine Central. This means the model is close in appearance, but it’s not an exact representation of cabooses built for other railroads.
As an example, Great Northern’s cabooses, numbered X66 to X85 (built in November 1963) were 24″ longer and 4″ taller (over the cupola) than the model which Atlas offers decorated as GN cabooses X66 and X72.
International also built Norfolk & Western’s class C-31 cabooses, numbered 518500 to 518699, between December 1968 and February 1970. These cars were also 24″ longer than the model, but the cupola height is right on. However, the N&W had its cupola side windows located at the corners, rather than the middle of the cupola.
The model includes free-rolling Barber Bettendorf swing-motion caboose trucks with simulated Timken roller bearings. These trucks have acetal plastic rigid frames and blackened metal wheelsets which meet National Model Railroad Association standards.
Accumate magnetic knuckle couplers come body-mounted on the model at the correct height. Atlas also includes a set of horn-hook couplers.
The detailing on these models is excellent, with finely cast, individual plastic grab irons, end ladders, and see-through running boards. The end railings measure just under a scale 2¼” in diameter, while the individually applied grab irons are 1¾” in diameter.
I found a bit of flash on both the brakewheels and the smokejack, which can be easily removed with a needle file and touched up with paint.
The body shell is impressive, especially the fine rivet detail on the roof. Although the safety chain links are a bit larger than scale, they are cast in black plastic and tend to blend right in.
Our samples weighed 3½ ounces each, which meets the NMRA’s recommended practice of one ounce plus ½-ounce for each inch of carbody length.
The body shell can be removed from the one-piece cast floor and frame to add more weight or detail the interior. Gently pull the bottom of the end-rail assemblies from the frame, and carefully pry the sides of the body away from the floor. There are four clasps just inside the bolsters that hold the body to the floor. I disengaged these by slipping the end of a scale rule between the floor and body shell.
Overall, these are excellent models of a common prototype that’s just right for HO layouts showcasing the 1960s and 1970s.
Price: $20.95 to $25.95
Manufacturer:
Atlas Model Railroad Co.
603 Sweetland Ave.
Hillside, NJ 07205
www.atlasrr.com
Description:
Ready-to-run plastic car
Features:
Accumate automatic couplers
Free-rolling blackened metal wheels
See-through running boards
Separately applied grab irons
Weight: 3½ ounces
Road names:
(Two road numbers per road name)
Burlington Northern
Great Northern
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio
Maine Central
Montana Rail Link
Norfolk & Western (blue and silver)
Norfolk & Western (red and white)
Norfolk Southern
Northern Pacific
Undecorated
Great looking model; I would really like to see it in Spokane, Portland and Seattle road name.