Open Question to Manufacturers

[Rich_S]

Just wondering, why a streamlined cupola caboose has never been produced in "N" scale? Several railroads used the streamlined cupola design, among them the Great Northern, Wabash, Ann Arbor and Norfolk & Western. Years ago Tyco produced a streamlined cupola caboose for HO, but as far as I know, none have ever been produced for "N" scale.  To save on production, I'd think you'd be able to create a streamlined cupola that would fit a standard off set cupola caboose.  With all of the specific cabooses being produced today, like the Milwaukee ribbed sided caboose, just wondering why the streamlined cupola caboose has been skipped over?

[pjm20]

Add the PRR N8 to that list!

[wcfn100]

First you'd need to decide which one to do.  I think the Wabash style lends itself to the most road names but most aren't too popular (DTI, MLS, AA and NW).  Other offset cupola styles could be found on GN, CB&Q, CEI and others, but except for mergers, I don't think any of those extended to more than one road.

Add the PRR N8 to that list!

The PRR has had way more than it's share of models produced.  There are other Class 1 railroads that have zero prototype type cabooses available.

Jason

[bbussey]

And the N8 was produced in brass.

Cabooses for mass marketing are a tough call in general.  Too many of them are specific to only a handful of roads at best.  Once a manufacturer has released a caboose model, the odds go up exponentially against subsequent caboose models being released.  Not counting minor variations, I believe Atlas is the most prolific followed by Micro-Trains.  Most of the other manufacturers that have released a caboose have released only one.

[H Lee]

First you'd need to decide which one to do.  I think the Wabash style lends itself to the most road names but most aren't too popular (DTI, MLS, AA and NW).  Other offset cupula styles could be found on GN, CB&Q, CEI and others, but except for mergers, I don't think any of those extended to more than one road.

Jason

The Milw Rib-Side Bay Window and B&O Wagon-Tops did not extend to more than one road and they have been done. I suspect that GN and CB&Q are at least as popular as Milw or the B&O.

[bbussey]

True about the MILW cabooses, but the B&O Wagontop lasted through successor roads and is an iconic design that appeals to non-B&O modelers as well as B&O modelers.

[rschaffter]

I don't think the H0 Tyco one is of a specific prototype.

Bowser made a PRR N5c in N, but the copula was a bit low...

[wcfn100]

The Milw Rib-Side Bay Window and B&O Wagon-Tops did not extend to more than one road and they have been done. I suspect that GN and CB&Q are at least as popular as Milw or the B&O.

I can't speak much to the B&O Wagontop caboose, but in regards to the MILW caboose, the rib side design is much more iconic to the MILW than either of the GN or CB&Q streamlined cupola cabooses. Another big factor could be that the MILW cabooses were steam era cars being built in the 30's vs. the 50's for the GN and Q cabs.  The Milwaukee also lasted 10+ years longer than the other two. Finally, probably the biggest thing, FMV has/had a MILW bias.  You find a company with a similar GN bias, you may get a caboose.

As for popularity, I'd agree that the GN and CB&Q may be as popular as the MILW, but I think the MILW has a longer reach.  Growing up in MN,  the GN was very popular, but that may have been because they had such a strong presence in the Twin Cities.  As I've traveled around, the Milwaukee has shown to be much more universal than most mid-west roads.

Jason

[leikec]

At this point I'd settle for a 3d printed wabash style streamlined cupola that would fit the Atlas cupola caboose.

Jeff C

[Puddington]

Cabeese tend to be one model that a higher percentage than normal of modellers get somewhat "introspective" about; that is to say; they are more likely to want/demand prototypical models and will be less likely to buy close to's or stand in's.... That makes the economic case to tool such a caboose harder to justify because your "secondary" sales may be less than otherwise needed to help fund the project. Not a hard and fast rule; our HO Angus van was painted in numerous schemes for a "close to' caboose and did very well but nevertheless the thought process most mfg. have leans to the side of cautiousness when it comes to hacks and crummies.....

[towl1996]

Add the PRR N8 to that list!

+1

Bowser would be a natural for this project. I asked before, and was told by someone on this forum, Bowser wasn't interested.    Maybe Shapeways?

[Spikre]

 
   the Tyco HO caboose was tooled about 1956,why they didn't center
   mount the cupola has never been answered.
   it isn't a PRR N-8 which can be converted by rearranging the roof,not a
  perfect replica,but a layout model as several articles  have  shown.
   it isn't a Wabash car,or GN.
   one of the Great Model mysteries of the 50s.
   Bachman:
   has an HO car that is the Burlington car,but with a lousey underframe
  that shows the car's Train Set roots.it has been available on and off since
  about 1980.
   it has never been shrunk to N AFAIK.
       Spikre
       

[Dave V]

The PRR has had way more than it's share of models produced.  There are other Class 1 railroads that have zero prototype type cabooses available.

Jason

So...  Even if there would be a market for an RTR PRR N8 (not saying there is) you don't think it should be made because it wouldn't be "fair?"   

[coosvalley]

I propose a moratorium on any new PRR models!..You SPF's have it way too good!

 

[Missaberoad]

Arise proletariat!!! Take back from the Pennsy bourgeoisie!!