HO Caboose Kits

HO SCALE CABOOSE KITS

Last Updated August 29, 2008

Accurate laser-cut wood constrtuced caboose body kits ready for detailing. Trucks, couplers, ladders and decals not included. To further enhance our caboose kits, Details Associates produces an AMB Caboose Detail Kit (#550) which includes ladders and pre-bent wire grab irons.

30K Kit No. 850 MKT “KATY” Wood Caboose
The prototype for this model is the M-K-T (Katy) Railroad’s 781-795 caboose. The floor and frame are from Athearn (included with the kit), the rest is Custom Laser-Scribed and Laser-Cut wood. Innovative engineering and the precise fit that is a trademark of our products is amply used in this kit. Tab and slot construction, and incredibly designed cupola, and Peel & Stick windows make this kit a breeze to build.....and the results have been judged to look “as good as brass”! - MSRP...$46.95

73K Kit No. 851 Nickel Plate Road Wood Caboose
Once again, the floor and frame are from Athearn (included with the kit), the remainder is Laser-Cut plywood. Tabbed and slotted construction, a beautifully engineered cupola, and AMB cast white metal queenposts/needlebeams and marker lights make this kit a snap to build and a spectacular finished product. - MSRP...$46.95

34K Kit No. 852 Illinois Central Side Door Wood Caboose
Our standard Athearn floor and frame with custom Laser-scribed and Laser-cut sides, ends, and cupola. Tab and slot construction, our peel & stick layered window system and another beautifully engineered cupola make this kit a quickie to build. And when you’re done, you have another “good as brass” “real wood caboose” from LASERkit® - MSRP...$46.95

35K Kit No. 853 Southern Pacific C-30-1 Wood Caboose
This standard steam era caboose was built in the early to mid 1920’s. Features of our kit include Laser-scribed siding, Peel & Stick windows and doors, and an incredibly engineered cupola.....all built around an Athearn floor and frame. The center cupola window on this model can be completed with full glazing, or blanked out with wood. Finish it off with an AMB cast while metal smokejack - MSRP...$46.95

123K Kit No. 854 - Seabord Air Lines Wood Caboose
Features include window awnings, screens for doors and windows, and an Athearn floor and frame with provisions for modification. - MSRP $46.95

45K Kit No. 855* - Chicago, Burlington and Quincy 30', 4-Window Wood Waycar
Features include options to build with the older wooden cupola or the more modern metal plated cupola, and an Athearn floor and frame with provisions for modification. - MSRP $46.95

* Q Connection offers two levels of detailing kits for the CB&Q waycar. Click here for details.

45K Kit No. 856 Chicago Great Western 33' Extended Vision Caboose
Originally introduced in 1885, some of these cars remained in service on the CGW into the 1960's. The "long version" kit features laser-cut parts for precise fit, modified Athearn underframe, and white metal smokejack (Trucks, couplers, and decals not included). MSRP $46.95

45K Kit No. 857 Chicago Great Western 28' Extended Vision Caboose
Originally introduced in 1885, some of these cars remained in service on the CGW into the 1960's. During the 1950's several of the 33' cars were shortened to 28' in length. The "short version" kit features laser-cut parts for precise fit, modified Athearn underframe, and white metal smokejack (Trucks, couplers, and decals not included). MSRP $46.95

106K Kit No. 858* - Chicago, Burlington and Quincy 30', Sidedoor Waycar
Represents a group of NE4 class cars rebuilt by the CB&Q with baggage doors for LCL service in the late 1950's and early 1960's. Two different style baggage doors are included. Kit features laser-cut parts for precise fit, modified Athearn underframe, and white metal smokejack (Trucks, couplers, and decals not included). MSRP $46.95

* Q Connection offers two levels of detailing kits for the CB&Q waycar. Click here for details.

112K Kit No. 859 - Atlantic Coast Line Caboose
First produced by the ACL's Waycross shops in 1922, the M-3 became the standard caboose on the ACL for over 40 years with a few remaining in service as late as 1969. This kit features laser-scribed sides and ends, modified Athearn underframe, white metal smokejack, and window awnings. - MSRP $46.95

95K Kit No. 860 - Seaboard Air Line Class 5CC Plywood Sheathed Caboose
A variation of the standard SAL caboose. This version represents a car rebuilt with plywood sides, ends, and cupola as was the practice in the late 1950's and early 1960's. Kit features peel and stick construction and a modified Athearn underframe (less trucks and couplers).The newest in our growing line of laser-cut wood caboose kits. Features include options to build with the older wooden cupola or the more modern metal plated cupola, and an Athearn floor and frame with provisions for modification. - MSRP $46.95

249K Kit No. 861 - GN "Shorty" Caboose
Represents the prototype as it appeared after the railroad's 1940's modernization program that saw additional end and side windows installed in the carbody as well as modifications to the cupola windows. The kit includes all the usual great details LASERKIT caboose kits are known for plus these additional features: handrail bending jig, laser-cut ladders, and end panels. (less trucks and couplers).. - MSRP $46.95

77K Kit No. 862 - Illinois Central "Iowa Division" Caboose
A variation of the IC side door wood caboose. Due to Iowa law, no operating side doors were allowed on cabooses. In order to meet state requirements, the IC built a number of their standard 28 foot cabooses without the side door. Kit features peel and stick construction and a modified Athearn underframe (less trucks and couplers).. - MSRP $46.95

94K Kit No. 863 - #863 Frisco Wood Caboose
_{The Frisco's West Springfield freight car shops built this design of wood
sided road cabooses in four lots between 1938 and 1946. A total of 110 cars were
built with a few remaining in service still in the late 1970's. In addition to
the standard LASERKIT caboose features, this kit features laser-cut end ladders
plus a choice of wood or steel cupola and canvas or metal roofing. (less trucks and couplers).. - MSRP
$46.95}

245K Kit No. 864 - Norfolk & Western Class CF Caboose
The Norfolk and Western’s East End Shops in Roanoke, VA built 381 wood sided, steel underframe cabooses in the CF class between 1914 and 1924. Our kit features 100% Laser-cut wood, a lasercut underframe with white metal steps, Peel & stick wood windows & doors, and an AMB cast white metal smokejack. It may be built with canvas style or metal style roofing. (less trucks and couplers).. - MSRP $46.95

111K Kit No. 865 - Santa Fe Caboose
American Car & Foundry delivered 150 of these wood cabooses to the AT&SF Railroad in 1923. The 28' 11" long waycar became a common site all over the Santa Fe system and a few even survived into the 1960's. The HO scale rendition features a full carbody width toolbox, truss rods, laser-cut ladders, special handrail bending jig, screen doors/windows, and cupola sunshades... - MSRP $46.95

190K Kit No. 866 - Burlington Route 28-foot 3-Window Waycar
This model represents the 28-foot, three-window prototype waycars that the CB&Q owned and operated from the 1904 consolidation until the 1970 merger. Many of these waycars received at least one if not two rebuilds during their lifetime. Sometime in the 1930's, the wooden end ladders were replaced with steel, wooden underframes were replaced with steel, and the wooden cupola sides and ends were covered with zinc sheeting. Some of these options are included with this kit. At least 54 of the 28', three-window wooden waycars survived the BN merger and were used for several years before being retired, most of them gone by 1978. This 100% laser-cut wood kit also includes an Athearn underframe, Grandt Line turnbuckles, and AMB white metal smokejack (less trucks and couplers).. - MSRP $46.95

* Q Connection offers two levels of detailing kits for this CB&Q waycar. Click here for details.

235K Kit No. 867 - Minneapolis & St. Louis Bay Window Caboose
Between 1942 and 1949, the Minneapolis & St. Louis constructed 56 25-foot, steel underframe bay window cabooses at their Marshalltown, Iowa car shops. The bay window cabooses were used all over the M&StL on branchlines, locals, and time freights alike. These wooden crummies survived through the Chicago & Northwestern merger and could still be seen in service through the 1960's. Our kit features intricate laser-cut bay windows, white metal smokejack, laser-cut ladders, and a unique handrail bending jig. - MSRP $46.95

301K Kit No. 868 - Rock Island Standard Wood Caboose
The Rock Island began receiving an improved design caboose in 1905. Having a slightly wider cupola and carbody then previous RI cabooses, these crummies were constructed new up until 1921, but many saw service well into the 1960s. Numbered 17900 – 18807, the RI wood cabooses were built by several car builders including American Car & Foundry, Mount Vernon Car Company, Whipple Car Company, and Standard Steel Car Company. The design did vary slightly between manufacturers in that some cars were built with four side windows and others with five windows. The cabooses were later rebuilt with steel underframes and many had the window situated behind the stove blanked out. Our rendering of this popular caboose follows the five-window version as it appeared after being rebuilt. The HO-scale double sheathed caboose kit features an accurate laser-cut caboose body; cast resin underframe and steps; laser-cut end ladders, brakewheel and brake stand; Peel & Stick windows, doors and roofing material; and white metal smokejack. Additional parts needed to complete this kit include trucks, couplers, glue, paint, and decals. - MSRP $46.95

178K Kit No. 869 - Atlantic Coast Line Class M3 Plywood Side Caboose
The Atlantic Coast Line M-3s and M-4s were 38’ 8” long coupled and had steel underframes with wood superstructures. Most had an inside length of 29’ 8”. As first built or rebuilt, M-3/4s had planked wood siding. Around 1960 ACL began replacing this siding with plywood sheets, which in fresh paint almost looked like steel. Although most received plywood siding by the end of their careers, a few that were shopped as late as 1966 still kept their planked siding. Our plywood sided version of this ACL caboose features 100% Laser-cut wood, cast resin end platforms and center sill, Peel & stick wood windows & doors, awnings for windows, laser-cut ladders, brake stand, brake wheel, and toolbox, two different style end doors, and an AMB cast white metal smokejack. (less trucks and couplers).. - MSRP $46.95

106K Kit No. 870 - Illinois Terminal Bay Window Caboose
In the early 1940s, the Illinois Terminal shopped five former 4000 series wood cupola cabooses of 1912 design. They removed the cupolas from the roof and installed a full body height, pre-cast steel bay window on each side. Renumbered 900, 901, 903, 906 and 936, the rebuilt cabooses eventually saw system wide use and lasted on the IT well into the diesel era. The kit includes cast resin bay windows, laser-cut end ladders and brake wheels, and a drilling jig. (less trucks and couplers).. - MSRP $46.95

79K Kit No. 871 - Northern Pacific 1200 Series Caboose
The NP's 1200 series of 24' cabooses were built as early as 1907, yet they lasted for many years. First rebuilt in the 1920s with steel center sills, they were renumbered in 1942 into the 1200 series, with some 145 in service then. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, these cars were rebuilt yet again to more modern safety standards, and our kit represents this post-War appearance. With their distinctive large cupolas, and fabricated end railings, these cars were a common sight all along the NP up until the BN era. Our kit includes all the end railings and ladders, two brake wheels, and a jig for bending your own grab irons; as well as both widths of ladder landings on the roof. (less trucks and couplers).. - MSRP $46.95

196K Kit No. 872 Florida East Coast Standard Wood Caboose
The Florida East Coast Railroad took delivery of their first ten 700 - 800 series wood side door cabooses from Mount Vernon Car Company in 1923. Another 100 cars would be received by 1927 built in the shops of both Mount Vernon and the Magor Car Company. The cabooses featured steel frames, a 33 foot 10 inch long carbody, lever-type handbrakes, and rode on either Andrews leaf spring trucks or express-type trucks. They were the standard cabooses for the FEC until being replaced by steel cars in the 1960s. The 700 - 800 series remained unchanged in appearance until the late 1950s when a rebuilding program was commenced at which time the side door was eliminated and plywood sheathing was applied to the car sides. Our kit represents the as-built 700 - 800 series cars with custom scribed sheathing, Peel & Stick windows, doors and roofing material, cast resin steps, unique laser-cut end ladders and handbrakes, and a white metal smokejack. Additional parts needed to complete this kit include trucks, couplers, glue, paint, and decals. - MSRP $46.95

377K Kit No. #873 NC&StL / L&N Caboose
The Nashville Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad’s former Florida East Coast cabooses were built in 1924 by the Mount Vernon Car Company and were from the FEC number group 873-892 (our kit #872). The Dixie Line acquired these in 1935 and numbered them in the series 30-44 as class NE-3. They were subsequently rebuilt and the characteristic FEC side doors were removed. In 1949, the N&StL rebuilt nine of the NE-3 cabooses again for branch line passenger service. They became a common site on mixed trains on various branch lines and continued in this service even after the merger with the Louisville & Nashville and up until the mid 1960s. Our newest caboose kit represents these 1949 rebuilt passenger service cars with custom scribed sheathing; Peel & Stick windows, doors and roofing material; cast resin steps, unique laser-cut end railings, ladders, and handbrakes; and a white metal smokejack. Additional parts needed to complete this kit include trucks, couplers, glue, paint, and decals. MSRP $46.95

Kit No. #875 Santa Fe Sidedoor Waycar
Our newest caboose kit represents Santa Fe’s last class of wooden Waycars built with side doors. A total of 39 of these cars were built for the railroad by American Car and Foundry in St. Charles, Missouri. Frank Ellingtion, in his book Caboose Cars of the Santa Fe (Railroad Car Press 1977, page 84), lists the following end platform sidedoor cabooses all with 28’-11” lengths: 1082-1114 built in 1921 by American Car & Foundry and 1116-1121 also built by ACF the same year. All of these Waycars rode on Arch Bar trucks, had vertical staff hand brakes, and were constructed with soldered tin roofs. Photos indicate that these cabooses changed very little in appearance over the years, and most kept their original equipment up until their retirement. However, the Santa Fe did rebuild some of the class with new steel underframes in the 1940s, yet they still kept their Arch Bar trucks. A number of these sidedoor wooden waycars could still be seen bobbing down the rails of old branchlines or in Maintenance of Way service into the early 1960s! Kit #875 features custom scribed sheathing, Peel & Stick windows, doors and roofing material, cast resin steps, unique laser-cut end railings, ladders, and handbrakes, underbody toolbox, optional screen doors and windows, brass wire and fixture for bending railing and handholds, and a white metal smokejack. Additional parts needed to complete this kit include trucks, couplers, glue, paint, and decals. MSRP $52.95

Kit No. #882 Minneapolis & St. Louis Cupola Caboose
Our 25th HO scale caboose kit offering, the Minneapolis & St. Louis Cupola Caboose actually had its heritage starting with the Lehigh Valley. In the late 1930s, the M&StL received nine 95000 series cabooses from the LV – the first steel underframe crummies on this Midwest road. After a complete rebuilding at their Iowa Central Shops into full width cupola style cars, the M&StL renumbered their new wood sheathed cabooses 1100 through 1108. In turn, these cars were used as patterns for twelve more nearly identical cupola cabooses built new in 1940 and numbered 1109 – 1120. The entire series was used extensively on the system with several of the 32 foot long crummies still on the roster when the Chicago & North Western took over the road in 1960. Working closing with original drawings and information provided to us courtesy of the Chicago & North Western Historical Society, Kit #882 is a striking replica of the prototype. The 100% laser-cut kit incorporates our typical caboose construction with Tab & Slotted basswood subwalls and Peel & Stick, custom scribed siding, doors, windows, and trim. An accurate detailed underframe and cast resin steps are included too with delicate, laser-cut brake wheels, ladders and end railings. The kit is finished off with a white metal smoke jack and brass wire is included for bending your own hand holds utilizing our printed templates. Couplers, decals, and trucks not included, but suggested brands and part numbers are listed in the instructions along with painting tips and an illustrated history of the prototype written by M&StL historian Gene Green. The finished caboose measures approximately 4.375” long over the endbeams. MSRP $46.95