Red Caboose, HO scale, Evans coil steel car

An excellent ready-to-run model of a modern 100-ton steel car has been released by Red Caboose. It represents a common prototype car that hauls heavy coils of sheet steel to appliance manufacturers and automobile stamping plants.

Evans introduced its line of prototype coil steel cars in 1964. They included a large wood-lined trough and removable hoods to reduce damage to the edges of the heavy steel coils. By 1968, the cars had evolved into the “type 4” design represented by this HO model. The type 4 car can be identified by its straight frame, while predecessors had fish-belly sides. More than 2,250 type 4 cars were built for a dozen or more railroads by 1975; the majority remain in use.

Model Railroader’s sample cars came ready-to-run with magnetic knuckle couplers. They include tight-fitting hoods that can be removed by gently pulling straight up. Four cast-metal weights that fit into the troughs are provided.

I was impressed with the overall appearance of these decorated plastic models. The level of detail is excellent, including crossbars in the troughs and all of the prototype’s grab irons and handrails. The cars match prototype dimensions in Evans’ sales literature.

Red Caboose has done a fine job on the underbody and air brake system details, which are visible under the car’s high sides. The brake fittings, piping, rods, and levers are all well executed. Brake hoses and uncoupling levers are included on the ends, and the etched-metal Morton running boards are realistically thin with a great see-through effect.

Our sample CSX car had round hoods, but angled hoods are also used depending upon the specific prototype. The hoods have stacking brackets and simulated weld lines, and they come with all of the grab irons and railings attached.

The McHenry scale-size, shelf-style magnetic knuckle couplers are mounted at the correct height.

The car rides on appropriate American Steel Foundries 100-ton roller-bearing trucks that have well-detailed three-piece acetal plastic frames. The wheelsets have blackened metal RP-25 contour wheels and acetal plastic needle-point axles. They matched the National Model Railroad Association gauge except for the .097″ tire width, which splits the difference between the HO standard .108″ dimension and the HO fine standard of .086″.

Our sample car was superbly decorated, including end lettering on the carbodies and hoods. All of the lettering was clear and opaque.

The 4-ounce model (including weights) is about 0.5 ounce under the NMRA’s recommended practice of 1 ounce plus 0.5 ounce per inch.

A fleet of these coil cars will be great additions to any steel-hauling model railroad.

HO coil steel car

Price: $34.95 each

Manufacturer:
Red Caboose
P.O. Box 250
Mead, CO 80542
www.red-caboose.com

Description:
Plastic ready-to-run cars

Road names:
(12 car numbers in each name)
Burlington Northern; CSX;
Detroit, Toledo & Ironton;
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern;
Illinois Central; Indiana
Harbor Belt; Reading; and
Southern Pacific