Peter's Model Railroading | My Library | Magazine Categories
Cabooses Articles

1:48 Lackawanna Caboose

The author describes how he scratchbuilt this caboose.

A Caboose for FinistAre

The author briefly describes how he took a Scenery Unlimited caboose and converted it into one that might have been seen on the Grand Trunk Western. Includes one photo of the completed model.

A One-car Mixed Train

The author describes how he built a drover's caboose using a Scenery Unlimited open-end combine car. Includes photos and detail drawings, as well as a two-page scale drawing and a parts list.

A Pennsylvania Railroad N5c Cabin Car

The author built his model from a #638 American Flyer caboose.

A Tale of Two Buggies

The author worked for the Boston & Maine and so this article covers the B&M cabooses, or "buggies" as they called them. He describes creating a model using an S-Helper Service car in S-scale, and finishing an Overland Models brass model in HO-scale for his brother. Includes many prototype photos, and full construction photos of the S-scale car. He used the HO-scale car as his go-by for kitbashing the S model.

A.F Penn-Central Caboose Conversion

A short article on how to do the conversion.

B&O I-1 Caboose Laser Kit

The author reviews the kit manufactured by Lake Junction Models and sold through The Supply Car. He used it to model a caboose for the Buffalo Creek & Gauley railroad which he models.

Bash a Transfer Caboose

Using a cut-down ATSF Athearn caboose, the author built a DLE&W transfer caboose. Includes only model photos.

Build Western Pacific's Bay Window Wood Caboose

After explaining the history of the prototype caboose, the author used photos and plans (from Mainline Modeler magazine) to scratchbuild the car out of styrene. It has a fully-detailed interior. Includes photos of the completed model.

Building a Caboose from Styrene

How to scratchbuild a caboose. Includes construction photos, drawings and materials list.

Building a Caboose in Styrene

This article describes how to scratchbuild a 17-foot D&RGW caboose. Includes prototype and model photos, construction photos, parts list, and detailed and scaled drawings.

Building a SOO Line Wooden Caboose

The author built this caboose by heavily modifying an A.C. Gilbert AF #930 caboose. Includes construction photos.

Caboose Conversions Made Easy!

The author describes how he changed a B.T.S. and an American Models caboose into his custom models. Includes model photos and a scaled drawing of an SP bay-window caboose.

Caboose Kitbash

Using the American Models baywindow caboose, the author kitbashes it into a B&O I-17 model. Includes a parts list, construction photos, and detail diagrams.

Canadian National Point St. Charles Van

Article includes a description, scale drawings, and prototype photos of a wide-cupola steel caboose rebuilts from a boxcar.

Canadian National Rwy. 42" Gauge Wooden Van

Prototype information, photos, and scaled drawings of these cabooses in the Newfoundland Division. On page 92 there are more photos of Newfoundland cabooses.

Central Pacific Caboose of the 1807's

Article includes an S-scale drawing and a prototype photo of the CP #45.

CGW Caboose Information

Various bits of information about several cabooses.

CN Caboose #78674

The author describes how he scratchbuilt this model. Includes many construction photos and a parts list.

CNR Wood Caboose

The author describes how he built this Canadian National Railways caboose from strip and sheet wood. Includes model and prototype photos, as well as construction detail drawings and scale drawings (including interior layout).

Cosmetic Improvements for Westerfield's NX23 Cabin Car

The author describes the modifications he made to this model. Includes parts list, model photos, and how to make the round windows.

Craftsman Trophy To Mal Harvey

This model by Malcolm Harvey features exquisite detailing on the exterior and the interior. The roof of the caboose is removable to reveal a fully detailed interior, including working parts. The exterior features, among many things, a working brake system.

DCC Installation of a Smoke Unit and Lighting in an American Models Wood-sided Caboose

This brief article describes the process the author went through and includes several construction photos.

Detailing a Penn Central N-8 Caboose

The author took a Bowser N-8 caboose and transformed it into a model fitting the 1970-79 time period. Includes prototype and modeling photos, and detail drawings for the modifications made. A parts list and weathering instructions are also provided.

Drover's Caboose

Creating a one-car train with a caboose that has been converted to carry both passengers and baggage. The article shows how the author scratchbuilt this model. Also includes a drawing and a decals master.

EBT Steel Frame Caboose

Two photos, a brief description, and scaled drawings of the East Broad Top caboose.

End-of-Train Protection

LED lighting installation in an Atlas caboose.

End-of-Train Protection Part II

This article shows how to power the LED in the caboose using the Richmond Controls' EZ-LITE N-scale Caboose Lighting Model EZ41. Included are installation of the axle wipers and the metal wheels.

Ex-PRR N5b Cabin Car Coming to Pennsylvania

PRR #477768 has been restored and is going to be moved to the non-profit Colebrookdale Railroad (CRR) in Boyertown, PA.

Finishing Up Projects

The author describes how he completed a Mullet River S-scale caboose project, including adding details that are not included in the kit. The second project he completed is an F&C 4-bay "Dunmore" hopper resin kit. This project involved dealing with weaknesses in the aging resin kit, and installing Morton roof walks. He completed the model by painting it and lettering it for the NKP.

Five S Pennsy Cabooses for Little Time and Not Much Money

The author takes several junk American Flyer and Lionel cabooses and turns them into reasonable models. Includes photos of the finished models.

HO Pennsylvania Cabooses

This is a product review on the Sunset Models HO-scale PRR N5a, N5b, and N5c cabin cars. In addition to the review itself, there is some historical information about the cars, and one prototype photo of a N5b.

HO Scale Automatic Brake System

When you have to park part of a train on an incline while switching, the train can move on you. The author describes a system, which uses a metal ball, that keeps a caboose from rolling in such a situation.

How I built an S Scale Monon Bay Window Caboose #C-325

The author describes how he built this model from several American Models cabooses, for which he won an award. Includes a couple of finished-model photos and a prototype one.

How I Painted and Re-lettered to Create a Norfolk & Western Caboose

The author describes how he converted an AF caboose into this model.

Industrial Rail S Caboose

The ATSF caboose is labeled as "O-27", but the author claims that its dimensions scale out to S-scale nearly perfectly. The article covers how to modify the model, and includes photos.

Jersey Central Caboose ... An A.F. Conversion

The author describes how he took an A.F. #630 or 638 caboose and converted it into a CNJ model.

Kitbashing a Bangor & Aroostook Caboose

The prototype converted troop sleeper cars into these cabooses in the mid-1950s, and so the author did the same thing using Cannonball Car Shops' kits of troop sleeper cars. Includes several prototype photos and some model photos, as well as a parts list.

Kitbashing a Erie-Lackawanna Caboose

The author takes an Athearn bay-window caboose to create a caboose for the EL.

Kitbashing a Rock Island Mixed Train Caboose

The author converted a San Juan Car Company's D&RGW boxcar and convert it into this caboose, similar to what the prototype did in 1915. Includes model and prototype photos, and scale drawings.

Kitbashing a Santa Fe Ce-6 Waycar

The author took two Athearn models to make this one caboose. The article includes prototype photos, scale drawings, a parts list, and model construction photos.

Kitbashing an NA Cabin Car in N or HO

Using a Bachmann bobber as a starter, the author built an N-scale model of the PRR NA cabin car. Using the same starter car in HO-scale, this model can be built in that scale too. The article includes step-by-step photos.

Kitbashing Middletown & Unionville Caboose No. 00

The author used two Mantua old-time combines to kitbash this model. Scale and cutting diagrams are included. It has model photos, but no prototype photos.

Kitbashing Pennsy Cabin Cars

The author describes how he converted a Tyco PRR cabin car into a better representation of a PRR N8 cabin car, and a MDC center-cupola caboose into a PRR N5c. Includes prototype photos of these cars in both PRR, PC, and Conrail livery. Also included are detailed drawings, and scaled drawings (N8 only).

Kitbashing Three Lehigh Valley Cabooses

This article describes how to build the three caboose discussed in another article in this issue. The author used the MDC 3440-series cabooses as a start for the three models. Includes construction photos, detail drawings, and a parts list

Markers Make the Difference

The author describes how he made caboose marker lights using Grain-O-Wheat lightbulbs and fibre optics. Includes a diagram on how to place the various components.

Missouri Pacific Homebuilt Caboose

The prototype built its own cabooses, which the author modeled. There are four different types discussed. Includes prototype and model photos, and a roster.

Model Review: Bowser N5 and N5C Cabin Cars

After covering the history of the PRR N5 classes of cabin cars, the author reviews the model produced by Bowser in HO-scale. Includes model and prototype photos.

Modeling a Not So Handsome and Rather Unusual Caboose

The author describes how he modeled the B&O I-5d caboose, starting with a kit of the I-1 model produced by Lake Junction Models.

Modeling a Not So Handsome and Rather Unusual Caboose

A re-run of the May 2021 article in the Dispatch, because the editor had made many mistakes in the original version. The author describes how he modeled the B&O I-5d caboose, starting with a kit of the I-1 model produced by Lake Junction Models. Includes several model photos, as well as one prototype photo.

Modeling an ND and NDa Cabin Car

The author describes the last of the four-wheeled "bobber" cabin cars. He uses an older wooden HO-scale kit to built his model. Includes several prototype photos, drawings, and many model photos.

Modeling Green Mountain Rwy. Caboose No. 50

Reworking a brass caboose.

Modeling Two C&NW Cabooses

Includes prototype and model photos and materials list. The cars modeled are numbers 10908 and 10357.

Modern CN Caboose and Bookends

The author describes how he built two bookends with dioramas built into them modeling a CN engine and a caboose.

Modifying a Caboose

Modeling a wood DM&IR caboose. Includes a scale drawing, prototype, and construction and finished model photos.

Mopac Caboose

The author describes how he kitbashed a Scenery Unlimited caboose kit to build an accurate model of this caboose. Includes two model photos and a prototype diagram showing dimensions.

MR Clinic

A reader asked the question about how brake rigging is put together under a modernday (or the 1970s) caboose. Includes a diagram of the brake parts under the car, and a chart for the various pipes needed for various modeling scales.

N-Scale Class N6A Cabin Car

The author took some old N-scale Minitrix UP cabooses and converted them to PRR class N6 cabin cars. Includes some model construction photos.

NKP 451-500 Series Bay Window Caboose

Many prototype photos (including one interior photo) and scale drawings accompany this brief article.

NKP's Wood Caboose

Background information about the radio-equipped wood cabooses, followed by how the author modified his Overland brass model.

NX23 Cabin Car Restoration

X23 box cars were converted into cabin cars during a shortage during WWII. Includes many prototype photos, history, a roster, and drawings.

Ontario Northland Caboose

Prototype photos and scale drawings of the ON's cabooses numbers 100-105.

Overview of the NX23 Class

75 X23 class boxcars were converted to cabin cars in 1943. Article includes roster, equipment diagram, and prototype photos (including interior)

PRRPro Update

The PRR Project Group (a Yahoo! mailing list) wraps up the group's effort to build PRR N5 series cabin cars. Includes several model photos. Their next project is an FM flat car.

Rescuing a Relic: Conrail N6A Transfer Caboose

Taking an old brass caboose and converting it into a model that would fit a modern era layout.

Rio Grande Modernized Waycar

Rather than scratchbuilding models, we can modify existing models to more closely resemble the prototype, and then repaint them.

RMC/Dremel Kitbashing Award

Modeling a Buffalo Creek & Gauley Railroad caboose in the 1970s era. The author started with a C&O American Models caboose, and added many details, including an interior.

Rock Island 17604 Caboose

Just a photo and a parts list for how to create one of these models using an Eastern Car Works kit.

Scale Scene

The author describes how he made the American Models' rather generic wooden-prototype caboose into a more accurate CB&Q waycar. The article includes a photo of the model, and two drawings.

Scale Scene

The author kitbashes an American Models wood caboose into a four-wheeled bobber caboose. Includes photos of the finished model.

Scale Scene

The author provides tips and tricks to kitbashing or scratchbuilding a caboose. He covers creating end railings and ladders, roofs, and floors. Photos of several of his models are included.

Scale Scene Part II

The author continues by completing the construction of the CB&Q caboose based on an American Model model. He used HO-scale trucks.

Scratchbuilding a Wood-sheathed Caboose

The author describes and shows construction techniques for building a wooden caboose, made out of wood. Includes model photos, and scaled drawings for a Canadian National caboose.

Seaboard Air Line 5600-series Cabooses

Besides the brief description, this article also contains prototype photos and scale drawings of the exterior and interior of this caboose.

Short & Easy

Additional details that Mike Sulzbach added to the underframe of an American Models bay window caboose. Includes detail diagrams.

Short and Easy

This brief article describes how David Avedesian made his AF action caboose run smooth and quiet.

Simple Upgrades for Bowser's PRR Cabin Cars

Upgrading Bowser's N5c cars with grab irons, trainphone antennas, Z-scale couplers, better window glazing, and weathering them.

Something Big

For something different, the author scratchbuilds a 1:12 scale caboose.

SP Caboose Model and Plans

Photos and scale drawings of the SP C-30-3 caboose, as scratchbuilt by the author out of styrene and brass.

Superdetailing The American Models Bay-Window Caboose

The AM model is generic enough to turn into a model specific for several railroads with a bit of effort. Described are the Erie-Lackawanna, Delaware & Hudson, and Conrail versions, with both model and prototype photos.

The Erie Bay-window Caboose: A Caboose for All Seasons

The author discusses how American Models and the Central Jersey S Scalers worked together to come up with AM's first caboose project. Includes many prototype and model photos.

The Marker Lamps at the End of the Tunnel

This article discusses the micro-sized LED's available, how to work with them, and, of course, it covers installing them in marker lamps attached to cabooses. Although the article covers an HO-scale installation, the author is convinced that this is also doable in N-scale. Includes installation photos and a wiring diagram.

The Pennsylvania RR's N4 Wood Cabin Car

There was only one such car in the N4 class. In addition to the history, the article also includes several prototype photos, scaled diagrams, and how to model it in HO- and O-scale.

The Transformation of a Caboose

The author found a Chicago & Great Western caboose sitting on a siding somewhere. Then a year later found that it was renovated, had its cupola removed. So, he decided to scratchbuilt one out of wood and styrene (includes information about how to bond wood to styrene). Includes prototype photos, scaled drawings, detail drawings, and some construction and completion photos.

Three Foot Caboose EBT-style

The author describes how he built this model out of Strathmore bristol board, after he measured the prototype car. Includes model photos, an exploded diagram of the parts to build the model, and two prototype photos.

Three Lehigh Valley Wood Cabooses

Three different styles of cabooses are described; two with and one without a cupola. Includes prototype photos and scale drawings.

Toronto, Hamilton, & Buffalo Caboose #56-59

Drawings, in S-scale, of this caboose from both sides and ends.

Traction Cabeese

Traction lines rarely used cabooses, but the author chose to scratchbuild one modeled after the Illinois Traction System caboose. Includes model photos and a drawing.

Transfer Caboose

In the real world these cars were usually built by using a cabin from a box car and a flat car with steps. The author built his model from an old MT caboose. Small diagrams and model photos accompany the article.

Two Kitbashed Cabooses

A description of how Stan Rydarowicz built two Chicago & Western Indiana cabooses. A prototype and model photo is provided for each of the two cars. The project was started with an Athearn "blue box" caboose.

Two New Cabooses for the Wisconsin Southern

The author started with two Atlas bobber cabooses to kitbash these models. Includes construction photos and detail diagrams.

Updated and Back in Service

The last page of the issue has a photo of a Denver & Rio Grande caboose #01507 set in a scene the author modeled as it appeared in the early 1980s.

Upgrading AM's B&O Bay Window Cabooses

The author describes how he modeled two wide-vision cabooses from American Models to represents models from two different eras of the B&O.

Walthers HO Caboose Assembly Tricks

Installing wire grab irons, truck clearance issues, and repositioning the body bolsters.

Walthers N6b, Corrected and Backdated

The author shows how he modified the model to make it more accurate. Includes only model photos.

Western Maryland Caboose

The author describes how he converted a #600/900 A.C. Gilbert caboose into one for the WM. Includes two model photos.

What's on Your Workbench?

A quick article about converting an Ambroid caboose kit. Also covers how he improved the running of a brass 44-tonner.

WP 642

The author describes how he built this Western Pacific outside-braced cupola caboose in this article that includes model and prototype photos, as well as a scale drawing.