Looking for C-40-3 SP Caboose

[up148]

Having no knowledge of what is available in O scale SP cabooses, I'm hoping someone can enlighten me. I believe I'm looking for a brass C-40-3 cupola caboose, which I understand might be the last of the cupola cabooses used by the SP before they went to the bay window style in the early 50's.

Any advice or help would be appreciated.

Butch

[Jay Criswell]

Butch,

I can't be sure if they're an exact match but I have several Max Gray SP c-40s.

Guess we could ask john.

Jay

[Wolf]

Depending upon the level of detail desired, Max Gray/US Hobbies (#915), Lobaugh ("SP"), and Precision Scale (#15335 for one)
have made SP steel cupola cabooses. There is little visual difference between the C-40-1 and C-40-3 classes. The main visual
difference is that the -1 cars had vertical staff (horizontal brake wheel) brakes while the -3 had more modern power brakes with
the vertical brake wheels. That distinction disappeared over the years as cars got shopped, etc. And Lionel made a SP caboose, but
I have not seen one in person, so can't offer an opinion as the accuracy, and it would have to be converted from Hi-Rail.

Don't know what era you are modeling, but the older wooden cupola cabooses lasted well into the diesel era, many lasting into the 1960's.
Quite a few were ungraded with replacement steel cupolas during the 40's and 50's. The many variations among these wood cupola
cabooses are well covered by several manufacturers/importers, Precision Scale and Mullett River among them.

Bay window cabooses were introduced in 1947, and slowly became the signature "SP Caboose" after the late 50's. Again, several different
variations among the various classes. Again, covered by several different manufacturers/importer, Max Gray/US Hobbies (#914),
Precision Scale, Atlas (plastic!) and Overland among them.

Should be able to find most of what you are looking for on eBay, at train shows, swap meets...all the usual suspects

[bob turner]

You beat me to it, with way more info than I had. The Lobaugh version is quite cost-effective, if done correctly. I am an SP Freak, but cannot hold a candle to Wolf's post.

[Jay Criswell]

Butch,

I can't speak to the accuracy of the Lobaugh but the Max Gray version actually has an advantage over the PSC model. The windows on the PSC version are too high and this creates a problem when placing decals. All commercial decals don't fit properly. John F. reminded me of this when I talked about your query.

If you're interested, I'll make you a deal on one of mine.

[up148]

Thanks Guys, this is exactly the type of information I was looking for. Wolf, you're comments about the prototype are excellent. I'm looking for a caboose that would be appropriate behind an AC-12 in the early 50's and it sounds like several would fit the bill. Unless I've missed something it seems to depend on what style of caboose you like; I prefer the cupola style. Wooden cabooses are always more interesting IMHO, so that would be most interesting.

Butch

[bob turner]

I agree with that. Wood SP cabeese are rare in O Scale. Lobaugh, PSC, and Sunset made them.

[CMorrill]

I agree with that. Wood SP cabeese are rare in O Scale. Lobaugh, PSC, and Sunset made them.

Also, Pacific Limited imported several versions of the wood caboose.

Charlie

[up148]

Thanks Charlie. I've learned the wood cabooses are C-30's.

BH