Need prototype info on Katy Cabooses 340 series.
These were the combination passenger and parcel cars with sliding door on the sides.
How long were these cars? 40', 50', 60' or more?
Was yellow the only scheme they wore or were they painted in another variation?
Thanks in advance!!
Amrail
The Katy Railroad Historical Society's website has a picture MKT caboose 346. The caboose appears to be longer than 40 feet and is painted a boxcar red. Here's a link: http://www.katyrailroad.org/cab346.htm
A 1945 color picture of caboose 349 in Sloan yellow is on page 16 of "Missouri-Kansas-Texas" by Raymond George Jr. The back inside cover of "Katy Southwest" has a color shot of yellow MKT 342 in 1960. A b/w shot of caboose 348 is on page 83 of the latter book. 348 appears to be boxcar red.
I have a photo copy of Katy diagram sheet showing "combination coach and caboose No. 347." The drawing shows 52' 6 3/4'' over the buffers and 45' 6" over the sills. BUT, this appears to be an older car. It does not have a side door. There are 14 windows on the side. Information says it was converted from coach 447 in 1915 and could seat 34 people. Hope this helps.
Hello "Amrail,"
I apologize for not noticing your question sooner, but I think I have a good answer for it. HO scale drawings of MKT mixed-train caboose no. 350 appeared in the July 1963 Model Railroader, page 53. According to that drawing, the car was 38 ft. 10 in. long over the body, and 43 ft. 10 in. over the end sills. When the photographs that appear with the drawing were taken, in 1960, the car was apparently in transfer service in Kansas City.
Photocopies of drawings from out-of-print back issues can be ordered under the "Shop" section of this website, or by calling 800-533-6644.
So long,
Andy
Andy Sperandeo MODEL RAILROADER Magazine