Model Railroading > SP Colma branch RPO caboose circa 1960

A Bay Area modeler friend shared this image of a caboose he just completed the SP used on the Colma branch (original SP Ocean view line) According to this Photobob thread https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,4256312,4256312#4256312
this caboose may still be in Northern California. Glad Photobob documented it's use and I'm thinking this is the train my friend wants to model. Looks like "Roots of motive power" has it: https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,3749191



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/03/21 11:26 by dmaffei.

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That is really cool! Love it!

I like that they actually felt it necessary to label it a caboose, I guess to avoid confusion.
SR

Sort of like Cheese Whiz-  it apparently IS food.

Very nice

Posted from iPhone

BoilingMan Wrote:
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> I like that they actually felt it necessary to
> label it a caboose, I guess to avoid confusion.
> SR
>
> Sort of like Cheese Whiz-  it apparently IS food.

It was converted from a 40 foot shorty RPO.
Maybe they were worried somebody would load it with mail!

Years ago the Trona Railway had a caboose similar to that one...

Bill Deaver
Tehachapi, CA

My dear old friend, "Uncle Lou" Schuyler (RIP) told me that when he worked the SP's Overnight express freights, they used shorty Harriman coaches in place of normal cabooses. He went on to say that they went so fast that the rear-end crews were thrown about in cabooses. So, the Harrimans was used in their place because rode much better at speed. They were marked "express service" on their sides. I sure would like to see a photo of one of them so marked. Does anyone have a shot?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/04/21 08:20 by RRBaron.

MojaveBill Wrote:
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> Years ago the Trona Railway had a caboose similar
> to that one...

So did the Yosomite Velley and that car ended up on the Virginia & Truckee after the YV folded.

Great looking model of an interesting prototype.  Is that kitbashed, scratchbuilt, brass, or other?

- Jeff Carlson 

PHall Wrote:
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> MojaveBill Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Years ago the Trona Railway had a caboose
> similar
> > to that one...
>
> So did the Yosomite Velley and that car ended up
> on the Virginia & Truckee after the YV folded.

The YV 107 has been in the hands of the PLA for over 50 years and is in Niles Canyon.  The "caboose" is at Roots of Motive Power in Willits.
Howard