Model Railroading > New HO Cabooses, Flatcar Load, and N Structures from AMB!

HO Scale Cabooses
 
HO Scale Kit No. 889 GM&O Wood Cupola Caboose
HO Scale Kit No. 890 GM&O Plywood Side Cupola Caboose
 
American Model Builders, Inc. is adding another prototype to its roster of LASERKIT® HO scale laser-cut wood caboose kits, which now number well over 40 unique cars for some two dozen different railroads.  This latest addition hails from the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad and is available with two different types of car siding:  Kit No. 889 represents a post World War II “modernized” tongue and grove sided car while Kit No. 890 renders a postwar rebuilt caboose with plywood siding.
 
The prototype for these kits actually dates back further than the GM&O and to the turn of the 20th century.  In 1940, the Gulf Mobile & Northern was merged with the bankrupt Mobile & Ohio creating a 2,000 mile system that connected St. Louis with the ports of Mobile and New Orleans. Incorporated as the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad, the new company inherited an assortment of equipment including a fleet of wood cupola cabooses formally of the M&O.  While little has been uncovered regarding the early history of these cars, they do have a striking similarity with designs utilized by the Southern Railway, which owned a controlling interest in the M&O from 1901 until 1940.

Dating as far back as 1896, the M&O cabooses, from the X30 - X202 series, appear to have been built over a three decade period with the last car outshopped in October of 1928.  Approximately 57 of these cabooses entered the GM&O roster in 1940 and were renumbered 2847 - 2903.  Some of these cars were retired as early as 1953, but the bulk of the fleet remained on the roster into the mid 1960s and some even survived the merger with the Illinois Central in 1972.  The subsequent Illinois Central Gulf Railroad retired all wood cabooses in 1973.

At the time of the merger, the ex M&O cars displayed features that were typical of wood cabooses of the era:  tongue and groove siding, composite steps, truss rod underframe, and vertical staff handbrake wheels located on both of the full width end platforms.  The approximate 31 foot long carbody was outfitted with four single sash windows on either car side and a centered cupola that contained a single window on the sides and two windows on the ends.  Often these cars were equipped with sun visors over both the cupola and body side windows and during the hot summer months were even supplied with window screens.

Variations within the fleet were apparent too with some cars exhibiting letterboard trim that separated the car side from the cupola while others had continuous siding running up to the cupola roof.   End ladders with either straight or curved tops could also be found.  At some point, possibly following World War II, these cars were rebuilt with steel sills and steps, AB brake gear, a power brake wheel stand on the B end of the car, and were often resheathed with plywood or, in at least one instance, steel.   
 
The new American Model Builder’s kits replicate these latter rebuilt cars.  As mentioned above, due to the variations found among the prototype cabooses, the modeler will find a number of options built-in to these kits, which are indicated throughout the included 13 page heavily illustrated instruction booklet.  It is suggested that modeler read through the pages first before beginning construction and then consult photos of the specific roadnumber desired in order to build the most accurate rendering.
 
Kits No. 889 and No. 890 feature 100 percent laser-cut components with custom laser-scribed side and end walls; Tab & Slot and Peel & Stick construction; laser-cut underframe, end platforms, end railing, queen posts, sunshades, and power brake wheels with stands; cast resin platform steps and brake gear; Tichy Train Group plastic turnbuckles; white metal smokejack; brass wire; custom decals by Tichy Train Group; and several fixtures to aid the modeler in creating all the wire handholds and ladders appropriate for the prototypes. 
 
Made in the USA, the manufacturer recommends the purchase of Kadee No. 580 Bettendorf-AAR Caboose Trucks, Kadee No. 5 couplers with draft gear boxes, and the paint and glue of your choice for the completion of these kits.   MSRP $64.95 Each
 

---

---

---

HO Scale Load

Kit No. 221 Crated Diesel Engine/Generator Loads (2-Pack) – Our latest flatcar load features a detailed multi-part cast resin diesel engine/generator, which includes separate frame, engine block, radiator, cooling fan, hoses and manifold, as well as an easy-to-build laser-cut wood crate for shipping the engine off to market.  Laser-cut tie-down strapping is also included.  Each package includes two complete loads, which, when used together, is suitable for flat cars with a minimum length of 40 scale feet (as shown).  Each assembled load measures 1.75” long with end blocking x 1” wide x 1.125” tall.  MSRP $19.95
 

---

---

N Scale Structures

Kit No. 631 Branchline Depot – Typical of a small town passenger stop where insignificant freight movement did not warrant a combination railroad structure, the design of this structure provided both ticket and work office for the agent with very minimal waiting room space for the passenger inside.  Instead, a small platform located on the trackside of the depot afforded space for the rider to await the arrival of the train.
 
Although simple in nature, the Branchline Depot offers the N scale modeler custom scribed wood siding, interior flooring, and exterior wood deck platform; train order and station sign boards; Victorian style end roof eave brackets; positionable window sashes; rolled roofing; and a white metal smoke jack.  As with all of our laser-cut structure kits, Kit No. 631 utilizes Tab & Slot constructed walls and roof and Peel & Stick windows, doors, trim, and roofing for ease of assembly.  The completed depot with waiting platform measures 1.75” long x 1.5” wide x 1.375” high.  MSRP $16.95
 
Kit No. 632 Gandy Dancer’s Shed 2-Pack – The traditional “Gandy Dancer’s” or hand car shed was a common sight along the rails of any railroad from the earliest days of railroading through the steam-to-diesel transition era.  Although not based on a particular prototype, our N scale model emulates the practical nuances of these maintenance-of-way structures with an enclosed side of the building, which housed the various tools and supplies used by the track gangs, as well as an open side for parking the hand car.  A track set-off is also included.
 
Featuring standard American Model Builder’s kit construction, the wooden hand car shed exhibits custom scribed siding and carport decking; exterior stud frame wall; rolled roofing; Peel & Stick door, window and trim; and laser-cut ties, railhead, and wheel stop for detailing the open portion of the shed.  When assembled, each shed (2 included in each package) measures 2.125” wide x 1” deep x 1” high.  As shown, the included length of set-off rails places the shed 1.125” back from the main track, but can be shortened by the modeler to best suit their layout space.  MSRP $24.95
 
Kit No. 626 Standard Water Tank with Pump House – During the age of steam, one of the more common sights along the railroad was the water tank.  Built in a multitude of sizes and styles, they were located at strategic points along the line, at stations, and at major terminals.  While the details of tank construction varied from railroad to railroad, the basic shape changed little over the years.  The most notable change being that from a tapered tank to one with straight sides as well as the eventual use of steel instead of wood in the construction of both the tank and supporting structure.
 
This N scale kit represents a 50,000 gallon straight side wooden tank, which is set on a wooden support structure and resting on wooden beams.  The basic design of the tank was used from the mid 1800s through the early to mid 1900s.  Although the various hardware components and support structure may have been modified over the years, a great many of these water tanks survived until the end of the steam era and often beyond.
 
The basic design of our water tank came from the Missouri Pacific Railroad plan book as well as from photographs of other railroads tanks where an overall similar appearance was maintained and a simple leg bracing system was utilized.  The look of the included pump house, which housed the pump mechanism for moving the ground water up into the tank, was devised in the same manner.  Likewise, the kit also includes two different styles of tank roof – both flat as well as peaked, to offer the N scale modeler greater versatility when trying to match a specific prototype for their layout.
 
Kit No. 626 boasts a real wood tank with custom scribed birch plywood wrapper and Peel & Stick tank bands; easy to assemble laser-cut wood beam support structure; built-up access ladder and water gauge; cast metal spout, fine brass wire, and plastic rod/tubing for modeling the water delivery system; optional cast resin peaked roof with simulated rolled roofing detail; and small wooden pump house featuring AMB’s standard Tab & Slot and Peel & Stick construction.  Finished water tank measures 2” square (with ladder located as shown and raised spout) x 2.5” high to top of tank (optional peaked roof adds an additional 0.25”) while pump house measures 0.75” wide x 1” deep x 0.875” high.  MSRP $29.95
 
Kit No. 624 Branchline Siding Combo – Add all three of our N scale Branchline Series structures to your layout through this cost savings combo kit.  The package includes:  the Branchline Depot, a single Gandy Dancer’s Shed, and Standard Water Tank (flat roof option only) with Pump House.  For reference, as pictured on our diorama, the overall Branchline Siding site measures approximately 10” long x 3” wide, although the modeler is certainly free to arrange the structures at their own discretion.  MSRP $49.95
 
LASERKIT®
American Model Builders, Inc.
8229 Brentwood Industrial Drive
St. Louis, MO 63144
www.laserkit.com
laserkit@sbcglobal.net
 

---

---

---

Can a GM&O fan explain the lettering of Conductor and Private on the photo of the plywood sided caboose?