NYC Despatch Shops Incorporated and St. Louis Car Company Bay Window Caboose System

In 2007, Tangent Scale Models started the trend of offering unparalleled railroad freight car replicas in HO scale, the likes of which had never been seen in the market. These highly-detailed replicas have consistently raised the bar for HO scale models with several hallmarks, including precision tooling, hyper-accurate stenciling, true to life colors, and era-specific details. Additionally, the models are designed to operate perfectly by including CNC-machined wheels, correct weights, and correct coupler heights. Simply put: Tangent Scale Models offers detailed freight cars on a higher level.

Fast forward to this release: Tangent Scale Models next release of “Tangent quality” HO scale cabooses. The era of “one size fits all” cabooses in HO scale plastic is over. Tangent Scale Models bring their passion and knowledge for translating real 1:1 railroad equipment from freight cars to cabooses. And Tangent Scale Models are taking things a step further, where their penchant for operations is accelerated with accurate marker lighting in era-specific versions!

Tangent Scale Models NYC DSI caboose model is actually a system of cabooses from two builders: the HO scale Despatch Shops Incorporated (DSI) and St. Louis Car Company (SLCC) Bay Window Caboose System, which began as New York Central’s first foray into post-war steel cabooses. You know the cabooses – these are the super common cabooses that had riveted sides and offset bay windows – they were everywhere! They are most commonly referred to as Class N7 and N7As (in PC and Conrail terms) and were the largest bay window fleet in the PC and Conrail family! Yup, Tangent Scale Models has done a NYC caboose (also Illinois Terminal – keep reading)!

The DSI/SLCC Steel Bay Window cabooses were witnesses to incredible changes to railroading during their use. Perhaps your train features NYC FA-2 locomotives racing along the Water Level Route, an ITC Class C electric rocking-and-rolling through central Illinois, CR SD45s on Horseshoe Curve helper duty, or NW Geeps handing local duties in St. Louis? Well, we have a caboose for your train.

Features for the Tangent DSI/SLCC Steel Bay Window Caboose replicas include:

– Dimensional accuracy – designed from actual blueprints and meticulous field dimensions using real tape measures

– Highly correct “true to life” colors

– “Hyper-Accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement

– Genuine Kadee scale couplers

– “Near-scale” draft gear box with beautifully-rendered side “key” detail

– Multiple road numbers for each scheme, as appropriate

– Era-specific body details for each RTR scheme, including multiple body roof and end window combinations

– Wood, Apex “See through,” or no roof running boards/etch metal running board supports, as appropriate for the era

– Railroad and era-specific ladder roof hand holds: Round, square, and none

– Multiple roof equipment options including locker vents, radio antenna and toilet vent

– End steps to match the prototype: Kass, Diamond, or “See through” Apex

– Two different end walkways platforms – Diamond and Kass – based on the prototype

– Unapologetically fine etch metal end window screens, where appropriate

– Thirteen (yes, 13!) different end railing/safety appliances options, based on railroad and era

– Seven different smokejacks to cover DSI, SLCC, PC and other replacement options

– Unlit NYC/ITC oil lantern and NYC pyle light options on the corner handrail posts where appropriate

– Illuminated scale-sized PC and CR era end marker lights that can be controlled on or off – on each end – independently, where appropriate

– Illuminated scale-sized CR and ITC late-era FRA end lights with a proper slow flash/prototype “decay” that can be controlled on or off – on each end – independently, where appropriate

– Multiple side oil fill and overflow pipe options based on the prototype and era

– Two “coupler lift bar” options per prototype application and era

– Railroad specific battery/equipment box options

– 4 different toilet pipe options based on the prototype and era

– Windshield wipers applied to bay windows based on era and prototype use

– Full railroad-specific interior – chairs, bunks, desks, lockers, sink and even 2 stove options! The interior is accurately apportioned and fully-painted with railroad and era-specific detailing. From the signature ITC double bunks to the NYC fold-down table and tufted cushions.

– Full underbody details – brake system with brake rods and piping, battery box, electrical plugs and conduit, water fills, axle generator and more – all based on the prototype and era!

– Beautiful side details – wire grab irons, wire ladder rungs, wire roof hand holds, and wire coupler lift bars – no “molded in” plastic grab irons here!

– Separate air hoses with mounting bracket detail

– No complicated decoder. No complicated programming. No complicated electronics. DC/DCC compatible track-powered “no fuss” interior and marker light lighting – simple and easy to operate with included wand

– “Warm” color LED lights for that “incandescent bulb” look of the prototype

– CNC-machined standard RP25 .110” tread 33” wheels (Yes, semi-scale .088” wheels are available separately!)

– All-New precision Tangent Scale Models 70-ton Gould plain-bearing trucks with separate brake beam part, or Barber 70-Ton Gould roller-bearing trucks with separate brake beam parts, as appropriate for each paint scheme

– Recommended age 14 years and older

Illinois Terminal (ITC) “Delivery Target Red w/Stripes 1953+” replicates an example of the final two cabooses delivered to the ITC by St. Louis Car Company. These cars feature the same safety-inspired bright “target” red paint, but SLCC also applied white reflective delineators across the bottom of the body and ends. This is a very distinctive look. The caboose also has other colors present on the exterior, including “canary yellow” handrails and steps, along with a light gray Standard Railway Equipment roof. The prototype Illinois Terminal lettering above the cupola and the ITC with road number was applied onto thin metal placards which were bolted onto the car side and had an off-white appearance, which we have replicated this “off-white” reflective color with Tangent Scale Models graphics. Similar to Tangent Scale Models NYC offerings, this model includes large (unlit) oil lanterns on one end of the caboose. The fully-painted and apportioned interior includes the two tone green scheme as found in the original cabooses. Check out those double bunks as you peek through the large windows.  While ITC loved to repaint their cabooses, the prototype number 989 stayed in its original red for an incredible 17 year run until 1970, making it the last survivor of the of the ITC St. Louis Car Co. delivery scheme.

Looking for more Tangent Scale Models Cabooses? Click here!