Walthers has an SP C-30-1 wooden caboose with orange ends that I'm thinking of snapping up. But first I have a few questions. First, when did this paint scheme come out? Second, I hear that there are a number of companies coming out with steel cabosses this year (and I assume some will be for SP). What was the intial year that SP took delivery of (or built themselves) steel units? I'm modelling SP in southern Oregon in the early 50s and would like to avoid sharp visitors raising their eyebows and asking embarrassing questions later one.
From Southern Pacific Review 1981 by Joseph A Strapac:
The basic color for SP cabooses was Mineral Red.
SP's first steel caboose was #11 a cupola caboose which came out of the SP shops April 21, 1937. It was a rebuild of Wood caboose (with steel underframe) #11 which was origionally built in 1925.
The first bay window cabooses were built in 1947 They were painted Mineral Red with vermillion ends.
Some cabooses received "aluminum-painted bulkhead ends" in 1954.
Daylight orange ends were adopted in 1955 along with billboard lettering and the repainting completed in 1958.
Solid orange bay windows appeared on some cars in 1961. But starting in 1963 oniy the corners of the bays were orange.
Steps and step wells received orane paint in 1981.
Eight cupola cars were painted aluminum with red and black billboard lettering in 1954/55. They were used for Los Angeles/San Francisco piggyback service and lasted into the 1960's
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
Excellent stuff, friend. Just what I needed!