Walthers announces the release of the oil stove variation of its popular Platinum Line HO Scale Milwaukee Road Rib-Side caboose. These models come with all details factory installed, making them truly ready to run.

Fast Facts: By the mid-1930s, the Milwaukee Road had introduced bay window cabooses that allowed greater visibility for the rear-end crew. With the coming of the 1937 edition of its storied Hiawatha passenger trains, the road introduced all-welded freight cars with stylish ribbed sides that echoed the ribs on Hiawatha passenger cars. Ever resourceful and cost-conscious, 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 built nearly 300 of these cars through 1951.

The car designs received numerous upgrades over the years, one of which was the installation of an oil stove in place of a coal stove beginning in 1958. A section of the ribs was removed and replaced with the oil tank under the two closely spaced windows on the brakeman's side, with the wall of the tank becoming part of the caboose's exterior wall. The side of the tank had a filler spout, gauge, drain plug and vent on its exterior.

Features: The new Walthers Platinum Line model represents a 1939-built car modernized with an oil stove. Each ready-to-run car features an interior and comes from the factory with all grab irons and details installed, RP-25 metal wheelsets, Proto MAX™ all-metal knuckle couplers and superb paint and lettering.

Expected Delivery Date: October 2009
Scale: HO
Retail Price: $41.98 (Unless Noted)
Milwaukee Road Rib-Side Caboose w/Oil Stove
932-7671 MILW #991909 (Orange Ends)
932-7672 MILW #991913 (Orange Ends)
932-7673 MILW #991864 (Orange Ends)
932-7674 MILW #991903 (Safety Yellow Ends)
932-7675 MILW #991915 (Safety Yellow Ends)
932-7676 MILW #991825 (Safety Yellow Ends)
932-7677 MILW Buildings & Bridges Dept #980502 MW (Tuscan, black roof)
932-7670 Undecorated Kit (Requires Some Assembly)