Union Pacific Caboose

[beyerswede]

I am modelling Union Pacific early steam. Now, Union Pacific is a pretty big system. So, why do no manufacturers of N Scale make a Union Pacific Caboose in anything but brass? I love the brass, but can not afford the expense for a fleet of cabeese. Does anyone know why Union Pacific is ignored?

Bill

[orsonroy]

Don't feel like a stranger. There are virtually NO N scale cabooses out there, period. If you're modeling the steam era, you're really up the creek. In that period, the PRR, NYC, B&O, C&O, CB&Q and IC were larger than the UP. Guess how many of THEIR cabooses you can find? (A: ZERO!)

Don't worry though. Scratchbuilding cabooses isn't as hard as it sounds, especially in N scale, where details tend to disappear. I mostly model in HO, but have scratchbuilt several N scale cabooses for my Ntrak modules and several N scale buddies. Kadee (Micro Trains, sorry) makes caboose end railings and smokestacks which really help, and most caboose models can be majorly kitbashed to look like other cabs. I generally use the underframe, ends, roof and parts of the cupola in my kitbash attempts, and Tichy now makes N scale bunk car windows that are perfect for many cabooses. Use some Evergreen N scale Passenger car siding, and you've got a new caboose!

The best thing about using existing caboose models to kitbash is that I can find them at swapmeets for about a buck apiece!