The fourth and final article in Michael Connor’s series on “Cheap Classics” covering inexpensive cabooses appeared in the March 1995 edition of CCT. The beauty of these articles is Michael identified sub-categories of rolling stork that contained a limited number of members making collecting on a budget possible. He had two simple criteria: only the Model Product Corporation (MPC ’70 to ’85) and Lionel Trains Incorporated (LTI ’86 to ’95) eras; and only cataloged rolling stock. Because collectors tend to ignore these two eras, much of the rolling stock can be bought at a very reasonable price, hence the “Cheap Classic” phrase. The first three “Cheap Classic” articles covered single dome tank cars, short box cars, and 2-bay hoppers & short gondolas. For those who might be interested I have three earlier posts covering these: Cheap Classics- 8” Tank Cars, Cheap Classics- 8” Box Cars, and Cheap Classics- 2-Bay Hoppers & Gondolas. Finally, a big thank you to Michael Connor for having written these articles. It has provided my hours and hours of fun and learning collecting these items. With that, let’s get started.
As noted in the original fourth article, defining cheap classic cabooses was more difficult than the previous categories of rolling stock because of the sheer numbers produced. So Mike Connor’s restricted his list to the following:
SP Type
· 6430 Santa Fe
· 6921 Pennsylvania RR
· 9060 Nickel Plate Road
· 9070 Rock Inland
Bobber Type
· 6494 Santa Fe
· 9067 Kickapoo Valley & Northern
· 9068 Reading
· 16500 Rock Island
· 16511 Pennsylvania
I decided to take a slightly different approach and just focus on cataloged SP type cabooses without windows insert or lighting. This resulted in 23 different road numbers some of which have variations. This number seemed doable to me both dollar and display wise, and in the end both proved to be true. Here’s proof on the storage front.
I’ll proceed in chronological order in describing each caboose on my list. First up is the 9060 Nickel Plate Road caboose produced from ’70 to ’72. It appeared in five different sets; 2 cataloged, 3 Sears. Surprisingly, it was not available as a separate sale item. There are three primary variations; maroon (red oxide), three shades of brown all of which are about equally common, and maroon with a maroon frame which is less common but not rare. Recently, there were twelve 9060’s for sale on eBay with prices ranging from $3.99 to $79.95 (an eBay “you’re kidding” price!), split about even between maroon and light & dark brown.
Brown Body
Maroon Body & Black Frame
Maroon Body & Maroon Frame
Comparison of the standard black frame and the maroon frame unique to the 6060
The two maroon framed 6060’s that I have both have the postwar AAR trucks with metal bar uncoupler. The two black frame 6060’s have the MPC Symington-Wayne trucks. It’s thought that the maroon frame represented early MPC production (1081 Wabash Cannonball). When the folks at MPC quickly realized they could save a few pennies if the frames for all cabooses were standardized “black”.
The is a slight difference in body color between the maroon with black frame and the maroon with maroon frame that I have. The former has a little bit more red hue to it.
Finally, there are two mold variations. The primary difference is the copula side window height; either short or tall. There are numerous other secondary differences in rivet placement, copula front & back window frame or no frame, and door knob size. The cabooses in this series are a mix of both types.
Gotta love the early MPC era for making collecting variations cheap, easy, and fun.
Have fun collecting cheap classics………………………
Papa D
Second up is the 9061 Santa Fe produced from ’70 to ’76. It appeared in a whopping seven sets plus as a separate sale item. There are no collectable variations which is unusual for early MPC production. However, it can be found with either AAR or SW trucks, short or tall cupola windows, a couple different shades of red, and with or without the MPC logo.
Here’s the story behind the “with or without” MPC logo. Lionel Corporation sold tooling for its then product line and licensed the rights to product and sell Lionel Trains to General Mills in ’69. General Mills then operated Lionel Trains under its subsidiary MPC beginning in ’70. An internal reorganization of General Mills toy business in ’73 resulted in Lionel Trains moving to their Fundimensions group. Fundimensions removed the MPC logo starting in ’73 and beyond. So rolling stock that spanned ’73 such as the 9061 can be found “with and without” the MPC logo. Even though Lionel Train production with MPC was brief, “MPC” is the most commonly used term for the ’70 – ’85 era. General Mills included Lionel Trains in the Kenner-Parker stock exchange spin-off in November '85. Kenner-Parker almost immediately sold off all its model toy businesses including Lionel Trains which was sold to Richard Kughn in March ’86 who established LTI (revised 5/12/16).
PaPa D - I'm reading along. Thanks for the info and effort.
I had one of those caboose frames that I cannibalized a while back, that was black, had AAR trucks, and the thumbtack uncoupling lever. Never saw the body (ominous thumping sounds from elsewhere in the house).
Good evening all,
Papa D, these are very entertaining additions to what I wrote. I would suggest you send your writings to Carl as an update to what I did in the 90s. This is good stuff.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
I think MPC stuck because that is what it was when Lionel moved in. They made plastic models, best known for their model car line. It was the perfect place to start production of plastic toy trains.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Thanks all for the comments. Collecting and researching has enriched my enjoyment of this hobby.
Third on my list is the 9062 Penn Central produced from ’70 to ’76 (except ’73). It appeared in 6 different sets. It can be found in all the minor variations as the 9061 Santa Fe. It’s very common, there were recently 16 for sale on eBay starting @ $0.99.
Since there is not much to say about the 9062, this is a good place to tell about the origin of the term “SP-Type” caboose. When Lionel Corporation created the tooling for this style caboose in ‘47, the first ones (2257 & 2357) came decorated with the graphic “SP”, abbreviation for Southern Pacific. This term has stuck to describe this style caboose with Lionel train enthuses ever since. Here’s an example of the 6357 SP Caboose produced from ’48 to ’61. It’s interesting to note that early Lionel Corporation production of SP cabooses pretty much matches that of MPC when it comes to variations.
Next up is the 9063 Grand Trunk & Western which rounds out the four SP-type cabooses first released by MPC in ‘70. It was part of the 1084 GT&W cataloged in ’70, and the uncataloged 1092 Sears Freight set in ’70 and 71 & Parker Brothers T-1173 GT&W set in ’71 to ’73. The major variation is body color; either orange or maroon. Both body colors are about equally common. All minor variations previously described can also be found in the 9063’s.
The ’70 catalog shows a maroon body color; however, it is most likely the orange variation came in the cataloged 1084 GT&W set. I base this assertion on two points. First the orange variation is only found with tall copula windows and the complete horizontal ridge and short vertical row of rivets along the bottom. The tall copula window mold was reworked prior to ’71 to break the horizontal ridge below the copula and remove the short vertical row of rivets along the bottom. I believe this was done to facilitate placement of the graphics on the 9064 C&O caboose first produced in ’71. Examples of the continuous and broken ridge and with & without the short vertical row of rivets can be seen by comparing the above photos. My second point is a little weak. I bought an orange 9063 along with a 6050 tank car being sold together off eBay. Both had the AAR trucks with bar uncoupler armature. The only set to contain both these cars was the 1084 GT&W set from ‘70.
Having acquired the license rights to produce Lionel Trains and Parker Brothers outright as part of General Mills’ conglomerate acquisition frenzy of the mid 60’s and early 70’s, they looked for synergism between their new acquisitions. One such opportunity was to sell Lionel Trains in Canada through Parker Brothers’ distribution network. This effort started in 71 and ended in 73. Overall it was a less than successful marriage. Shown below is the T-1173 set containing the 9063 caboose from the Parker Brothers’ ’71 catalog.
Only one new SP-Type caboose was released in ’71, the 9064 C&O, produced in ’71 - ’72 and again in ’75 - ’77. It came in 4 sets plus as a separate sale item. It can be found in both the short and tall copula window variations. As note in the 9063 post, the tall copula window only comes with the broken ridge line and no short row of vertical rivets along the bottom. It’s entirely likely the tall window copula mold was reworked to accommodate the C&O graphics, particularly the red strip along the bottom. Graphics of later cabooses in this series would also benefit from this broken ridge line modification. The only other minor variations are body and graphics color shades, and with (’71 - ’72) or without (’75 - ’77) the MPC graphic. It was also the last one produced under the MPC banner. None of these variations affects price.
The 9064 is easily found in excellent condition for under $10.
No new road name/number SP-type cabooses were released in ’72 while ’73 saw the release of three. The first was the X9066 Southern produced for 4 years from ’73 through ’76. It appeared in one cataloged (1384 Southern Express) and two uncataloged JC Penny sets (’73 and ’74). It was not offered as a separate sale item. This is the first one to have the “BLT date/LIONEL” instead of the the MPC logo. It can be found with either the short or tall cupola windows and red or dark red (slightly less common) body color.
The number 9065 CN is skipped in my list of SP-type cabooses because it was only sold in Canada through Parker Brothers, therefore it isn’t a “cataloged” item. Prior to eBay, it was somewhat hard to find. That’s the good news/bad news of eBay; it’s reduced rarity which has also reduced collectables' values.
My 9166 is lighted and yes I bought it new in the early 70s.
Also I live in GT territory, the 9063 orange caboose is quite common but the maroon is diffuclt to find here. Didn't see any at York either.
S.J.
The 9166 Denver & Rio Grande certainly is nice looking. It was the first illuminated SP-type caboose released by MPC uncataloged in ‘74 and cataloged in ’75. It came in the 1450 Denver & Rio Grande set, as a separate sale item, and in the Rio Grande SSS.
There were numerous additional illuminated SP-type cabooses released during the MPC and LTI eras. Other than the pick-up roller and internal light, they are identical to the ones on my cheap classic list. In general, they average about $5 or so more than their non-illuminated brethren.
Being all on the same plastic frame they were easy to upgrade to lighting. I did quite a few of the better looking ones by adding a window insert and their standard lighting assembly.
The early SSS like the Rio Grande had all the items available for seperate sale. Even the A-B-A. Each unit could be bought seperately.
The second SP-type caboose initially released in ’73 was the 9069 Jersey Central which only came in the 1385 Blue Streak Freight set (’73 & ’74).
It appears to have been produced only in the short copula window version. Given it appeared in only one set and not as a separate sale item, it is surprisingly somewhat easy to find. Mine has plenty of signs of play and rough handling probably by a youngster.
The third and final SP-type caboose initially released in ’73 was the 9070 Rock Island which like the 9069 also only came in one set, the 1386 Rock Island Express (’73 & ’74), and it too appears to have been produced only in the short copula window version. Like the 9069 Jersey Central it’s not that hard to find at a cheap classic price. The smoke stack on mine is not original. There are also holes drilled in both ends indicating at some point in time someone must have attached it to a post-war frame. Collecting mint items has its appear, but then so does collecting items which bear the signs of past play & enjoyment.
The two different style ends used on these cabooses can be seen clearly by comparing the photos of the 9060 and 9070. There appears to be little rhythm or reason on which one was used by the factory during production.
Next on my list is the 9073 Coke SP-type caboose which was part of the 1463 Coca-Cola Switcher set. This set was uncataloged in ’74. It was made for Coca-Cola as a promotional set to commemorate their 75th anniversary. The Tennessee Coca-Cola bottling plant added an 75th anniversary overstamp to the three boxcars in this set. These overstamped boxcars and/or sets with these overstamped boxcars are quite hard to find. The 1463 was cataloged in ’75 (which happened to be Lionel’s 75th anniversary). Cataloging it has the look of a marketing afterthought.
Between the 2 years’ worth of production a fair number of sets must have been made as the sets and individual pieces of rolling stock are easy to find. The 9073 appears to only have been made in the short copula window version. The body color can be found in a light, medium, and dark red.
The 9073 Coke SP-type caboose was followed by the 9077 Rio Grande cataloged from ’76 -’83 (1662 & 1963 Black River Freight sets) and uncataloged from ’84 – ’91 (Toys-R-Us 1252 Heavy Iron set). Clearly the longest production run champion at 16 years. It was also offered as part of the Rolling Stock Assortment (RSA) in ’83. It’s the easiest and cheapest one to collect. The only variation is it can be found in both the short and tall copula window versions.
The 9080 Wabash SP-type caboose was produced only in ’77 as part of the 1762 Wabash Cannonball set. It’s the first to have a two color body; red unpainted sides & ends with a painted black roof. A nice, but not great, looking piece of rolling stock. It was only produced in the short window copula version.
While the MPC/LTI SP-type cabooses don’t have the heft of their post-war cousins, they certainly rolling on the track much better.
I always liked this little caboose. It was one that I added a window insert and lighting to.
Papa_DThe 9080 Wabash SP-type caboose was produced only in ’77 as part of the 1762 Wabash Cannonball set. It’s the first to have a two color body;...
What about this one?
Papa_DThe 9166 Denver & Rio Grande certainly is nice looking. It was the first illuminated SP-type caboose released by MPC uncataloged in ‘74 and cataloged in ’75...
Rob
Hi ADCX Rob
Yes, the 9166 Rio Grande was the first two color body SP-type caboose produced by MPC. However, it was illuminated. There are several other illuminated two color body SP-type cabooses produced after the 9166 Rio Grande and before the 9080 Wabash. However, the 9080 Wabash was the first two color body on my "cheap classic" list. Guess we are both kind of right.
Many consider the 9166 Rio Grande to be the best looking SP-type caboose produced by MPC or LTI. I know I do, which is why I bought one during my search for the “cheap classic” cabooses on my list.
Numbering, numbering, numbering. The 9080 was the last logical sequence road number used by MPC for the catalogued, non-illuminated SP-type caboose. After it, they circled back and used 905x numbers for the next two. This was followed by a brief runs of 93xx’s, 64xx’s and 69xx’s road numbers. What the heck were they thinking? LTI ended the production using a 165xx sequence.
The 9057 CP Rail SP-type caboose was produced in ’78 & ’79 for the 1866 Great Plains Express set. It had un-painted yellow sides & ends with a black painted roof. It also sported a Pac-Man like logo at the rear which wasn’t particularly crisp. It was only produced in the copula short window version.
Like the 9057, the 9058 Lionel Lines SP-type caboose was produced in ’78 & ’79 as part of two sets; the 1864 Santa Fe Double Diesel and the 1865 Chesapeake Flyer. To me, this is the most vanilla of the non-illuminated SP-type cabooses on my list. Somewhat unusual, it had no “Blt” date. It was only produced in the copula short window version.
It was produced again in ’83 as one of the rolling stock assortment. It happened to be one of the pieces of rolling stock shown. Kind of hit-or-miss being considered as cataloged because it was included in a RSA in a given year. As far as I know, there is no lists of the rolling stock included in RSA’s in the years offered.
The 9059 Lionel Lines SP-type caboose was uncataloged, therefore not on my list. It was the spitting image of the 9058 except for road number. In ’79 it may have actually been included in some of the 1864 (less likely) and/or 1865 (more likely) sets mentioned above. In ’81 it was part of the uncataloged 1157 Wabash Cannonball set. In any event, one plain vanilla Lionel Lines non-illuminated SP-type caboose is enough for me.
The 9341 Atlantic Coast Line SP-type caboose was produced initially from ’79 to ’82. It was part of the catalogued 1155 Cannonball Freight and 1687 Freight Flyer sets. The 9341 came with glo-in-the-dark windows in both sets. It also came in the 1159 & 1993 Toys-R-Us, the 1263 JC Penny, and 1265 Tappan sets during these years. Since it can be found in both the short and tall window copula versions, not all of these uncataloged sets would have come with glo-in-the-dark windows.
It was produced again from ’87 to ’90 as part of the 1687 Freight Flyer set which didn’t have glo-in-the-dark windows. It also came in several Rolling Stock Assortments during this time frame, although it was never shown in any of the catalogs as such. During this second run it was also part of the uncataloged 1658 Townhouse, 1685 True Value, and 1686 Kay Bee Toys sets. It was only produced in the short cupola window version during this second run as the tall cupola window mold was retired in the early ‘80’s. Finally, there are two different body colors; dark red (common) and red (less common).
With its extensive production history, it is easy to find at a cheap classic price.
The 9346 Wabash SP-type caboose was produced only in ’79 as part of the cataloged 1962 Wabash Cannonball and uncataloged 1991 JC Penny Wabash Deluxe Express sets. Except for road number, it’s the spitting image of the 9080 produced 2 years earlier. In reference material there is some confusion if the 9080 came in the 1962 set and the 9346 was only in the uncataloged 1991 set, which would explain the different road numbers for otherwise the same caboose. The ’79 catalog clearly shows the 9346 as part of the 1962 set which is further confirmed by 1962 sets for sale on eBay that include the 9346.
The 9380 NYNH&H SP-type caboose was produced in ’80 & ’81 only in the short copula window version as part of the 1050 New Englander set. The 1050 set was a step-and-a-half up from a basic starter set with a 2-6-4 die cast engine. This probably resulted in less sales and a greater propensity for the owners to keep the set intact. The end result, this was the hardest non-illuminated SP-type caboose on my list for me to find.
I have a particular fondness for anything NYNH&H. It was one of two railroads which went through the city I grew-up in, the other being the more dominant B&M. The NYNH&H tracks went through the downtown area. I remember sitting with dad in his ’54 Chevy waiting for a long (at least to me) freight to pass on its way to the junction with the B&M in Fitchburg. Over the years the freight traffic rapidly diminished and the NYNH&H track was abandoned.
The 9381 Chessie System SP-type caboose was produced only in ’80 as part of the 1052 Chesapeake Flyer set. Another one with no “BLT” date. It can be found in the tall & short copula window body styles. As has been mentioned, it is easy to up-grade these non-illuminated SP-type cabooses to illuminated as has been done to this one.
The 9381 has the distinction of being the last recognized use of the tall cupola window mold.
Numbering jumped back to the 6000’s for the SP-type non-illuminated cabooses after the 9381 starting with the 6432 Union Pacific. It was part of the Union Pacific Thunder Freight produced in ’81 & ’82. A nice looking piece of rolling stock with its 4-color graphics and 2-color body.
If I strictly followed my criteria, this post should feature the 6478 Black Cave Flyer SP-type non-illuminated caboose. It has a plan red body, no number or BLT date, and a Black Cave Flyer decal installed by the owner. The lack of a car number and decals that curl-up over time just discourages me from acquiring one. If someone wants to provide a photo of one, have at it.
So with that out of the way, next on my list is the 6430 Santa Fe. Don’t quite understand how 6430 follows 6432, but it did. It was produced with an operating coupler at just one end from ’83 to ’86, and then during the LTI era with operating couplers at both ends through ’89. It was in the 1352 Rocky Mountain Freight set and one of the Rolling Stock Assortment from ’86 to ’89 making it an easy piece of rolling stock to find at a cheap classic price.
Next up is the 6486 Southern which was part of the 1353 Southern Streak set produced from ’83 to ’85. The ’84 & ’85 production came with window inserts. A nice looking caboose that I found somewhat hard to find.
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