Milwaukee, Wis. - Walthers announces the release of its new Platinum Line HO Scale Milwaukee Road Rib-Side caboose. These models come with all details factory installed, making them truly ready to run. This signature Milwaukee Road car will be available in February 2008.
In the mid-1930s, new and bigger freight cars created visibility problems for crews in caboose cupolas. Starting in 1937, the Milwaukee rebuilt some older wooden cabooses, removing the rooftop cupola and installing new side-mounted bay windows. This experiment proved successful, reducing injuries, improving visibility and putting crews where they could spot problems quickly.
With the coming of the 1937 edition of its storied "Hiawatha" passenger trains, the road introduced all-welded cars with stylish ribbed sides. Ever resourceful and cost-conscious, the Milwaukee carried over the rib-side look to home-built freight cars. The new look was practical because the ribs improved strength while reducing overall weight, and the cars provided instant recognition of the road of the Hiawathas.
In 1939, these ideas were combined to create an all-new welded steel bay window caboose with ribbed sides. Two additional ideas were borrowed from the passenger department; trucks were a design first used on some 56' combines built in 1934, and the cars wore the road's signature orange, maroon and black paint. There were some innovative new ideas too, including a side-mounted toolbox door that made it easier to retrieve repair parts. Construction began in the Milwaukee's shops in July, with the first car ready for service by mid-August, and 75 completed by year's end. With minor changes, modernizations and improvements, the Milwaukee would build nearly 300 of these cars through 1951.
Serving all over the system in a variety of roles, many of the rugged little cabooses outlived the Milwaukee Road itself. Into the 1980s, these cars could be seen from coast to coast at the ends of trains on connecting lines. After the 1985 merger with the Soo Line, many survivors were sold, several have been preserved, and a few still serve on shortlines and tourist railroads.
The new Walthers Platinum Line model represents a 1939-built car, fitted with a small smokejack for the kerosene lamp above the conductor's desk. Each Platinum Line car comes from the factory with all grabs and details installed, plus metal wheelsets, knuckle couplers and superb paint and lettering.
The Milwaukee Road Rib-Side Cabooses are available in three paint and lettering schemes that cover three eras of service. Cars are available individually and in limited-run two-packs for a total of three roadnumbers per scheme.
Single Cars, $34.98 Each:
932-7661 Milwaukee Road Full Name #01803
932-7662 Milwaukee Road w/Herald #01876
932-7663 Milwaukee Road 1970s Scheme #01901
932-7660 Undecorated
(Note: For easier customizing, undecorated versions include modeler-installed grab irons and details - some assembly is required.)
Limited-Run Two-Packs, $69.98 each:
932-7661 Milwaukee Road Full Name #01839, #01874
932-7662 Milwaukee Road w/Herald #01882, #01898
932-7663 Milwaukee Road 1970s Scheme #01856, #01920
The new Platinum Line Milwaukee Road Rib-Side Cabooses are coming from Walthers in February 2008. For more information on these and other Walthers HO Scale Platinum Line cabooses, or to locate a dealer, visit Walthers on the Internet at walthers.com. Call 414-527-0770 or write Walthers, P.O. Box 3039, Milwaukee, WI 53201-3039.
