cabin

cabin Cabooses...

Information posted here is about my collection of model Chessie System cabooses. These little cars that have brought up the rear of the train for years are now a distant memory. However, in the Chessie Era most trains still had these cabooses at their tails. There are a wide variety of kits available now that allow the modeler to easily create a highly detailed roster of Chessie System cabooses

Chessie rostered 28 major classes of cabooses. Some classes had as many as three sub-classes. My goal is to model every class and subclass Chessie owned.

Chessie System cabooses generally came from their parent or predecessor railroads, which tend to each prefer different types of cabooses. The Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) liked the "bay-window" caboose and the "wagon-tops". They had a few old wood cupola cabooses, one transfer and one steel cupola type as well. The Chesepeake & Ohio liked the "wide-vision" caboose and the steel cupola cabooses. They did have one order of "bay-windows" and some secondhand "Northeasts" purchased from WM. The Western Maryland liked the "Northeast" caboose, and only rostered that type.

Also, each parent road never painted all of their cabooses into the Chessie scheme. So, throughout the Chessie Era (1972-1986) parent paint schemes were still seen. All blue B&O or C&O cabooses, and the rare red,white, & black or maroon WM cabin could be seen throughout the Chessie Era.

Additionally, there were four Toledo Terminal (TT) cabooses that were acquired by the C&O in late 1984. They were originally TT 90-93 and numbered C&O 903326-3329. 903326 was very close to a C-13/C-13A class caboose. 903327-3329 were a different wide vision type than the C-25 class, but similar in appearance. None of these four cabooses were shown on any roster that I have found, though many photos of them exist. For the purpose of this website, I call 903326 the "C-29" class and 903327-3329 the "C-30" class.

Finally, the Chessie System painted a series of cabooses from each of the parent roads into unique "Safety" paint schemes around 1974. The "safety" paint schemes came in a rainbow of colors, blue, red, green, yellow, white, orange, brown and even purple. They road the rails in these special schemes until they were retired. Around 1982, Chessie also painted six cabooses into a special "Careful Car Handling" (CCH) scheme. These six were all painted the same vermillion (orangish red) color with a CCH logo. One C-23 caboose, B&O 902884, was painted in 1985 into a one of a kind green paint job promoting safety at the Cumberland Shops. This caboose is not part of the "Safety" paint schemes done in the early 70's.

Below is a table of my completed models of Chessie System cabooses. Click below on the number to see a picture and description of each model caboose. At the bottom of this page is a list of all Chessie caboose classes, their road numbers, and the most accurate kit on the market for that class.

Chessie-B&O Chessie-C&O Chessie-WM B&O C&O WM Safety Cabooses
Safety Cabooses
Safety Cabooses
Careful Car Handling

C-2420 (C-18) 90124 (C-15A) 1828 (C-13A)
C-2899 (C-23) 90002 (C-15) 1897 (C-13A)
901802 (C-13A) 903028 (C-24)
903664 (C-15C)
903103 (C-25)

C-2482 (C-18) 90241 (C-20) 1893 (C-13A)
903782 (C-26)
903202 (C-25)
901803 (C-13A)
903035 (C-24) 903714 (C-26)
903118 (C-25)

902884 (C-23) 90320 (C-21)

901806 (C-13A) 903043 (C-24)
903718 (C-26)
903237 (C-25)

C-2895 (C-23) 903296 (C-25)

901811 (C-13A) 903143 (C-25) 903771 (C-26)
903747 (C-26)

C-3930 (C-27)

903000 (C-24)
903163 (C-25) 903774 (C-26)
903758 (C-26)

C-3003 (C-24) 903246 (C-25)
903820 (C-26)

903010 (C-24) 903282 (C-25)

903017 (C-24)
903285 (C-25)
Cumberland Caboose

903025 (C-24)
903287 (C-25)
902884 (C-23)

Below is a list of all Chessie caboose classes, their road numbers, and the most accurate kit on the market for that class.

FIRST SERIES

SECOND SERIES

PROTOTYPE

KIT

MODELING

CLASS

ROAD

START

STOP

START

STOP

TYPE

NOTES

BUILDER

NAME

ACCURACY

MY MODEL(S) OF THIS CLASS

NOTES AND TIPS

C-1

B&O

C-397

Wood Cupola

Only one caboose in class. Last one retired 1977. Most likely B&O red scheme.

Pacific Mountain

CHK-03

Above Average

Kit purchased. Not yet built

Very similar to a C-6 class caboose, Rare Beano I-I kit was based on this class.

C-2

B&O

C-1600

C-1616

Wood Cupola

Very small class. Last one retired 1972. Have only seen B&O red scheme.

Pacific Mountain

CHK-03

Above Average

Kit purchased. Not yet built

Very similar to a C-6 class caboose, Rare Beano I-I kit could also be a start point

C-3

B&O

C-2601

C-2665

Wood Cupola

Small class. Last one retired 1979. Have only seen B&O red scheme.

Pacific Mountain

CHK-03

Above Average

Kit purchased. Not yet built

Very similar to a C-6 class caboose, Rare Beano I-I kit could also be a start point

C-4

B&O

C-400

C-499

C-1401

C-1434

Wood Cupola

Small class. Last one retired 1977. Have seen in both B&O red and B&O yellow. Some cars had cupolas removed.

Pacific Mountain

CHK-03

Above Average

Kit purchased. Not yet built

Very similar to a C-6 class caboose, especially if modeling one of the cars with cuploa removed. Some windows also covered over if plywood was applied over original grooved siding. Rare Beano I-I kit could also be a start point.

C-5

B&O

90363

90370

Wood Cupola

Very small class. Last one retired 1976. Rounded top of cupola is main difference from common C-6 / C-6A / C-6B. Have only seen B&O red scheme.

Pacific Mountain

PMHK-04

Above Average

Kit purchased. Not yet built

Would require a scratchbuild rounded top cupola to be accurate.

C-6

B&O

C-1900

C-2299

Wood Cupola

Rare 15' truck center version of C-6A and B. Have seen B&O red and B&O yellow schemes.

Pacific Mountain

PMHK-02

Perfect

Kit purchased. Not yet built

This kit was designed to represent this class. Kit is the original grooved siding. Many were covered with smooth plywood in Chessie Era, including covering some of the 8 side windows.

C-6A

B&O

C-1901

C-2160

Wood Cupola

A C-6 with the truck centers moved from 15 to 19 feet. Most common wood caboose class. Have seen B&O red and B&O yellow schemes. Some painted Chessie.

Pacific Mountain

PMHK-04

Perfect

Kit purchased. Not yet built

This kit was designed to represent this class. Kit is the original grooved siding. Many were covered with smooth plywood in Chessie Era, including covering some of the 8 side windows.

C-6B

B&O

C-1903

C-2260

Wood Cupola

A ballasted C-6A. Most common wood caboose class. Have seen B&O red and B&O yellow schemes. Some painted Chessie.

Pacific Mountain

PMHK-04

Perfect

Kit purchased. Not yet built

This kit was designed to represent this class. Kit is the original grooved siding. Many were covered with smooth plywood in Chessie Era, including covering some of the 8 side windows.

C-7

C&O

90657

90680

Wood Cupola

Very small class. Have only seen C&O yellow scheme.

Walthers

25' Wood Caboose

Perfect

Kit purchased. Not yet built

This kit was designed to represent this class. Kit is the original grooved siding. Many were covered with smooth plywood in Chessie Era.

C-8

C&O

90681

90999

Wood Cupola

Very small class. Last one retired 1980. Most were C&O yellow, but some were painted Chessie.

Walthers

25' Wood Caboose

Perfect

Kit purchased. Not yet built

This kit was designed to represent this class. Kit is the original grooved siding. Many were covered with smooth plywood in Chessie Era.

C-8

B&O

90689

90998

Wood Cupola

Very small class. Not all #s in series. Most were B&O yellow, but some were painted Chessie.

Walthers

25' Wood Caboose

Perfect

Kit purchased. Not yet built

This kit was designed to represent this class. Kit is the original grooved siding. Many were covered with smooth plywood in Chessie Era.

C-9

C&O

90603

90652

Wood Cupola

Very small class. Last one retired 1980. Have only seen C&O yellow scheme.

Walthers

25' Wood Caboose

Perfect

Kit purchased. Not yet built

This kit was designed to represent this class. Kit is the original grooved siding. Many were covered with smooth plywood in Chessie Era.

C-9

B&O

90619

90631

Wood Cupola

Only two cabooses in class. Neither was painted Chessie, both were in B&O yellow.

Walthers

25' Wood Caboose

Perfect

Kit purchased. Not yet built

This kit was designed to represent this class. Kit is the original grooved siding. Both were covered with smooth plywood in Chessie Era.

C-10

C&O

A800

A824

Wood Cupola

Very small class. Have seen C&O red and C&O yellow schemes.

Glor Craft or Quality Craft ?

Average

Kit purchased. Not yet built

Very rare wood kit which is next to impossible to find.

C-11

B&O

C-2500

Steel Bay Window

Prototype caboose for C-22 and C-23 classes. Most likely only B&O red scheme.

Athearn

Bay Window

Above Average

Kit purchased. Not yet built

Requires shortening the Athearn shell. Pacific Mountain also offered C-22 and C-23 in resin, which would be a good starting point.

C-12

B&O

C-2503

C-2505

Steel Wagontop

Very small class, only 3 cabooses. B&O yellow and Chessie schemes seen.

Pacific Mountain

CHK-09

Above Average

Kit purchased. Not yet built

A C-18 with round end windows. End window modification needed on Pacific Mountain kit. Spring Mills Depot also offers C-18, which also would require end window modification.

C-12A

B&O

C-2502

C-2506

C-2507

Steel Wagontop

Very small class, only 3 cabooses. B&O red and Chessie schemes seen.

Pacific Mountain

CHK-09

Above Average

Kit purchased. Not yet built

A C-18 with round end windows. End window modification needed on Pacific Mountain kit. Spring Mills Depot also offers C-18, which also would require end window modification.

C-13

C&O

90350

90356

Steel Cupola

Very small class. Bought from WM (C13A Class). All in C&O yellow scheme.

Life-Like P2K

Steel Center Cupola

Highly

Kit purchased. Not yet built

Mod kit offered to change steps to C&O type and add window awnings.

C-13A

1802

1905

Steel Cupola

The only WM class of caboose in Chessie Era. WM maroon, WM red/white/black, Chessie and safety schemes seen.

Life-Like P2K

Steel Center Cupola

Perfect

1828, 1893, 1897

Perfect right out of the box. This kit may have been based on the WM C-13A class.

C-14

C&O

A901

A925

Steel Cupola

A C-20 with an older horizontal brake wheel. Seen in C&O yellow and Chessie schemes.

Atlas Trainman

C&O Steel Cupola

Highly

Kit purchased. Not yet built

Atlas Kit based on C&O C-20 prototype. Needs brake wheel modification to be an accurate C-14.

C-15

C&O

90001

90049

Steel Cupola

Only one caboose, 90002, escaped modification to C-15C variant. Had an older horizontal brake wheel. Most likely C&O yellow scheme.

Atlas Trainman

C&O Steel Cupola

Highly

90002

Atlas Kit based on C&O C-20 prototype. Needs brake wheel modification to be an accurate C-15.

C-15A

C&O

90050

90199

Steel Cupola

A C-20 with underbody battery box. Both C&O yellow and Chessie schemes seen.

Atlas Trainman

C&O Steel Cupola

Highly

90124

Atlas Kit based on C&O C-20 prototype. Just need to add an under body battery box to be accurate.

C-15B

B&O

C-3050

Steel Cupola

The only B&O steel cupola caboose. Have only seen it in Chessie paint scheme.

Atlas Trainman

C&O Steel Cupola

Highly

Kit purchased. Not yet built

Atlas Kit based on C&O C-20 prototype. Extra vent on one side and minor other additions made by B&O.

C-15C

C&O

3500

3684

Steel Cupola

One of the main C&O classes. A modified C-15 with different window shape and awnings removed. Outshopped in C&O blue, but all painted Chessie. 3664 painted in safety scheme.

Atlas Trainman

C&O Steel Cupola

Above Average

Waiting on DR&LE release to buy the kits for this class.

Detroit River & Lake Erie coming out with one in late 2013.

C-16

C&O

A950

A989

Steel Cupola

A C-20 with the ladder on the left side, not right. C&O yellow and Chessie schemes seen.

Atlas Trainman

C&O Steel Cupola

Highly

Kit purchased. Not yet built

Atlas Kit based on C&O C-20 prototype. Just need to move the ladder to the left side, when looking at the end, to be accurate.

C-17

B&O

C-1800

C-1835

Wood Bay Window

Last one retired 1981. Most likely all in B&O red.

Beano

I-16

Above Average

Need to find and purchase kit.

Rare Beano I-16 class would be a good starting point.

C-18

B&O

C-2400

C-2499

C-2800

C-2824

Steel Wagontop

B&Os production wagontop class. Delivered in B&O blue, but many painted Chessie.

Pacific Mountain

CHK-06

Highly

Kits purchased. Not yet built

Perfect right out of the box. Spring Mills Depot also offers an excellent ready to run caboose in all paint schemes.

C-19

B&O

C-2300

C-2374

C-2700

C-2799

Wood Bay Window

Last one retired 1977. Probably still painted B&O red when retired.

Beano

I-16

Above Average

Need to find and purchase kit.

Rare Beano I-16 class would be a good starting point.

C-20

C&O

90200

90299

Steel Cupola

C&O yellow and Chessie schemes seen.

Atlas Trainman

C&O Steel Cupola

Perfect

90241

Atlas Kit based on C&O C-20 prototype

C-21

C&O

90300

90349

Steel Cupola

A C-20 with the ladder on the left side, not right. C&O yellow and Chessie schemes seen.

Atlas Trainman

C&O Steel Cupola

Highly

Kit purchased. Not yet built

Atlas Kit based on C&O C-20 prototype. Just need to move the ladder to the left side, when looking at the end, to be accurate.

C-22

B&O

C-2850

C-2861

Steel Bay Window

Small square B&O bay window cabooses. Slotted steps are main difference from C-23s. Delivered in B&O blue, but many painted Chessie

Athearn

Bay Window

Above Average

Will renumber and modify one of the three C-23s, probably 902884

Requires shortening the Athearn shell. Pacific Mountain also offered one in resin.

C-23

B&O

C-2862

C-2909

C-2925

C-2960

Steel Bay Window

Same as C-22 but without slotted steps. Delivered in B&O blue, but many painted Chessie. 902884 painted in one of a kind Cumberland Shop Safety green scheme.

Athearn

Bay Window

Above Average

902884, C2895, C2899

Requires shortening the Athearn shell. Pacific Mountain also offered one in resin.

C-24

B&O

C-3000

C-3045

Steel Bay Window

Delivered in B&O blue. Many painted Chessie, including safety schemes

Tangent

Bay Window

Perfect

3010 and 3025 are my first two completed

Tangent offers B&O blue, Chessie and safety caboose schemes.

C-25

C&O

3100

3325

Steel Wide Vision

The main class of C&O cabooses. Delivered in C&O blue. Most painted Chessie, also included safety and careful car handling schemes

Athearn

Wide Vision

Above Average

903118, 903143, 903163, 903202, 903246, 903285, 903287, 903296

Wrong window placement, but acceptable. Atlas also offers one.

C-26

B&O

C-3700

C-3827

Steel Bay Window

One of the main classes used by Chessie. Last B&O class delivered in B&O blue. Many painted Chessie, also Included safety and careful car handling schemes

WrightTrak or new Athearn

Bay Window

Perfect

903782 (WrightTrak)
903774 (new Athearn)

The WrightTrak kit was designed to represent the B&O C-26. It is perfect right out of the box. The new Athearn ICC Caboose is also a perfect model for the C-26.

C-26A

B&O

C-3828

C-3924

Steel Bay Window

One of the main classes used by Chessie. Delivered in the Chessie scheme

WrightTrak or new Athearn

Bay Window

Above Average

Need to find and purchase kit.

Needs bay window modification to be right

C-27

B&O

C-3925

C-3986

Steel Bay Window

One of the main classes used by Chessie. Delivered in the Chessie scheme

WrightTrak or new Athearn

Bay Window

Above Average

903930 (new Athearn)

New Athearn is better than WrightTrak for this class

C-27A

B&O

904000

904093

Steel Bay Window

One of the main classes used by Chessie. Delivered in the Chessie scheme

WrightTrak or new Athearn

Bay Window

Above Average

Need to find and purchase kit.

Different roof pattern than C-26

C-27A

C&O

904094

904159

Steel Bay Window

One of the main classes used by Chessie. Delivered in the Chessie scheme

WrightTrak or new Athearn

Bay Window

Above Average

Need to find and purchase kit.

Different roof pattern than C-26

C-28

B&O

C-3051

Transfer Caboose

B&Os only transfer caboose. Have only seen pictures of it in Chessie paint scheme.

None

None Available

Future scratchbuild project.

Needs to be scratchbuilt. Bluford Shops kit is highly inaccurate.

"C-29"

C&O

903326

Steel Cupola

Acquired 1984 from Toledo Terminal. Very similar to C-13 / C-13A. Painted all red.

Life-Like P2K

Steel Center Cupola

Highly

Need to find and purchase kit.

Need to add rain gutters over side windows and port hole windows on ends

"C-30"

C&O

903327

903329

Steel Cupola

Acquired 1984 from Toledo Terminal. Painted all red.

Atlas

Wide Vision

Stand In

Need to find and purchase kit.

Requires substantial window and cupola modification

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Chessie-B&O	Chessie-C&O	Chessie-WM	B&O	C&O	WM	Safety Cabooses	Safety Cabooses	Safety Cabooses	Careful Car Handling
C-2420 (C-18)	90124 (C-15A)	1828 (C-13A)	C-2899 (C-23)	90002 (C-15)	1897 (C-13A)	901802 (C-13A)	903028 (C-24)	903664 (C-15C)	903103 (C-25)
C-2482 (C-18)	90241 (C-20)	1893 (C-13A)	903782 (C-26)	903202 (C-25)		901803 (C-13A)	903035 (C-24)	903714 (C-26)	903118 (C-25)
902884 (C-23)	90320 (C-21)					901806 (C-13A)	903043 (C-24)	903718 (C-26)	903237 (C-25)
C-2895 (C-23)	903296 (C-25)					901811 (C-13A)	903143 (C-25)	903771 (C-26)	903747 (C-26)
C-3930 (C-27)						903000 (C-24)	903163 (C-25)	903774 (C-26)	903758 (C-26)
						C-3003 (C-24)	903246 (C-25)		903820 (C-26)
						903010 (C-24)	903282 (C-25)
						903017 (C-24)	903285 (C-25)		Cumberland Caboose
						903025 (C-24)	903287 (C-25)		902884 (C-23)