Model Railroading > Utah Ry. Steel Caboose Modeling?

I'm modeling the Helper/Martin Utah area and want to model Utah Railway's steel cabooses. They were ex-UP CA-5 and CA-6 cabooses. Do any TOs out there know if HO models of these cabooses  were ever made? If not, what UP-caboose bodies come closest? Thanks in advance!

YES cabooses were made in HO scale by Overland Models back in the 1980s but may be somewhat difficult to find. The models were made from the UP prototype so minor modifications might have to be made as I do not recall if a specific ex-UP Utah Ry. caboose models were done. For more info on the cabooses, might I suggest you check out Don Strack's MAGNIFICENT Utahrails.net website for specific caboose info on both prototypes. I am unsure if more recent cabooses have been made in plastic. If so, they may be more difficult to find than the Overland Models. I would start looking on that famous online auction site that everyone seems to either love or hate. GOOD LUCK. 

There was a plastic or resin kit for one in the mid90’s. I can’t remember who it was (possibly Trix), but I definitely remember it being advertised because I just completed a stand in from Athern blue box cars.

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Doug Wetherhold
Macungie, PA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/26/25 19:08 by ALCO630.

I believe that Centralia Car Shops makes UP cabooses. They're available through Intermountain Railway Company.

They may not be too hard to find, I have a Overland CA-5 i might part with if ya cant find one. Just got to figure out which box its living in.

As others have noted, the CA5 and 6 have only been done in brass; however, a CA5 (and maybe a CA6?) can be made from the Marklin CA3/4 caboose:

You need an early Marklin caboose with the incorrect roof - no raised panels. Cut the diagonal shaped raiser panels from .015 styrene and glue them to the roof. Re-do the ladder roof handrails and you have a CA5. Search for an issue of the UP Historical Society’s “Streamliner” magazine that has a how-to article.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/28/25 13:17 by wnehoc.