With four Union Pacific locomotives already produced or planned, the need for a caboose model built to the same standards is a given. With numerous requests already logged, a difficult decision must be made, which prototype to model. We have narrowed the potential prototype subjects down to two classes, the CA-1 wooden cabooses and the CA-3 steel cabooses. The basic information for both classes is shown below and offered for your consideration.

Shown above is a builder's photo of a CA-1 class wooden caboose which was built in 1918, the plan and elevation view drawings are shown immediately below. While the production of the CA-1's was started very early in the century, many of the cabooses in this class survived in service through the steam years and into the early 60's. With several unique variations available for modeling, this class offers great modeling opportunities.

Shown below is a builder's photo of a 1937 vintage CA-3 caboose which utilized all steel construction. At the bottom are the plan and elevation drawings for this class. While this class was fairly typical in terms of features, it did have some unique characteristics; an unusually tall cupola and trucks with wooden side beams were among them. With the length of service both classes had, there were a number of mechanical updates and numerous paint schemes that have to be considered in modeling either class.