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Body Styles of Missouri Pacific Cabooses
and their Abreviations
Compiled by Jerry Michels
I created this page as an assist to those not too familiar with Missouri Pacific cabooses. All the information provided here is condensed from the work of Jerry Michels but is not a substitute for the original information that is provided in Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines. Where possible, I have made corrections to the original text such as roster errors or made additions to the text as in information that became available after the book was printed. Make no mistake, if you are truly interested in Missouri Pacific cabooses, this site is no substitute for the Caboose Book.
This list is just for this site and does not contain all the abbreviations as listed on page 373 of
Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines.
BWW Bay Window Welded Chicago & Eastern Illinois heritage
Of the 3 sets of bay window cabooses the C&EI had at the time of the merger, only the series 36-41 came to the Missouri Pacific as numbers 13509-13514. These were built by International Car Company and can easily be mistaken as MP Long Bay Window cabooses. They all went through the MP modernization program during the 70s and were all retired by the mid 80s.See page 226 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
EV Extended Vision
Built by International Car Company, their extended vision (wide vision) cupola style all steel caboose came in three designs. Centered, semi-offset and offset which the Missouri Pacific chose for their cabooses and the rarest of the designs. The identifying feature of these all steel cabooses is that the cupola "extends" beyond the sides of the car body and, for Missouri Pacific, sat noticeably towards one end. The Missouri Pacific and, through assignment, Texas & Pacific rostered 150 total.The first lot of the first order (diagram 920) arrived in September and October of 1971 numbered 13515 thru 13544. One feature to notice in "as new" photos is their non-standard decals.
The second lot of the first order (diagram 920) arrived during January and February of 1971 numbered 13545 thru 13574 with standard decals. Both of these lots had diagonal panel roofs, an average light weight of 52,300 pounds and together totaled 60 cabooses.
The first lot of the second order (diagram 921) arrived in December 1972 and January of 1973 numbered 13575 thru 13604 with X panel roofs and an average light weight of 50,800 pounds.
The second lot of the second order (diagram 922) arrived from November 1973 thru January 1974 numbered 13605 thru 13664. Numbers 13605 thru 13634 were assigned to the Texas & Pacific, had an average light weight of 52,600 pounds and totaled 29 cabooses. The remainder were assigned to the Missouri Pacific and had an average light weight of 52,900 pounds.
See page 223 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
HWS Horizontal Wood Sheathed
Being built in 1943, these were the last of the war time cabooses and the first of what was to become a "standard design" for the MP in their caboose building progam. Built in Sedalia, Missouri as series 935-954, their horizontal wood design was unique to the MP. These cabooses made it through the modernization of the late 60s and early 70s being renumbered into the 13270-13285 series. At least one of the series made it to the mid 80s before retirement.See page 80 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
Built by International Car Company of Kenton, Ohio during 1976. These cabooses were the last built by an outside source for the MP. There were 50 built in series 13665-13714 with MP 13712-13713 assigned to the T&P and MP 13714 assigned to the C&EI. All came with MP lettering with only the trust plates indicating the true purchasing railroad. All carried their 13000 series numbers till their retirement.See page 110 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
MAG MAGor steel
The Magor steel cabooses were built by the Magor Car Corporation of New York at its Pasaic, New Jersey plant in 1937 (Diagram ). This was the first and only order of Magor cabooses and it numbered 35. Originally numbered MP 910-934, painted box car red and with the decals of the day, these cabooses proved successful on the Missouri Pacific and lasted till near the end of cabooses.
They originally had a tapered cupola, no radios, two windows per side, rivet strips and an end window. Because of their longevity, their appearance changed several times through the years with the addition of radios, blanking of side windows, the new 13000 numbering system and paint and decaling schemes. Two of the cabooses are known to have survived in transfer service (11000 series) into 1982.See page 223 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
NOTE: The Eagle article on the Missouri Pacific's Magor steel cabooses and their homebuilt MAGor Copies is in the Summer 1986 issue, Volume 11, #2. Contact the MPHS for information on getting a copy.See page 96 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
SBW Short Bay Window Why this isn't a Transfer caboose.
In 1976 the Missouri Pacific Railroad contacted International Car Company about building what was then referred to as a "platform type caboose car with bay windows" with the results being that NO orders were placed. The Missouri Pacific decided for whatever reason to build their own "platform type caboose car with bay windows" in their DeSoto, Missouri and Sedalia, Missouri shops and called them Short Bay Window cabooses. Often confused with a Transfer caboose, these were the last mainline cabooses for the Missouri Pacific. For an explanation of the differences in the Short Bay Window and the Transfer caboose see this page.The Short Bay Window cabooses were built over a six year period and totaled 351 built. The first built was numbered 13542 and could be considered the prototype of the series and was out of numeric order. The last one built would have been 13099 but it was sold to the Texas Mexican Railway, TM 316, and never made it on the Missouri Pacific roster as a MP caboose. The Missouri Pacific rostered 350 Short Bay Window cabooses.
The first series built was numbered 13542 (the prototype), and then the 13715 thru 13814 beginning in August of 1977 thru January of 1978 totaling 101. Diagram 924.
The second series consisted of 13815 thru 13964 and were built in June thru December of 1980 totaling 150. Diagram 925.
The third series was numbered 13000 thru 13098 + (13099) and built in November of 1981 thru January of 1982 totaling 100. Diagram 916.
The Missouri Pacific Railroad built 351.
Prototype...............13542....................1
First Order.............13715 - 13814 = 100
Second Order.........13815 - 13964 = 150
Third Order...........13000 - 13099 = 100 -1 sold Total built..........................351 -1= 350 rosteredWhen viewing one of these cabooses from the side you will see an all steel caboose cabin of approximately 15' with platforms on both ends giving the total overall length of about 41' at the couplers. They have short overhanging eves at each end of the cabin and have a fuel tank and tool box mounted on one platform. There are bay windows on the side of the cabin and a flat, sheet steel, roof.
See page 223 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
The final cabooses the KO&G had were purchased from the International Railway Car and Equipment Manufacturing Company of Kenton, Ohio in 1952. Series 1539-1553 were delivered in the red and black paint scheme of the KO&G. They went to the T&P as numbers 13231-13245 and were later renumbered to 12231-12245 before retirement. They went through the rebuilding program at Sedalia, Missouri during 1965-1966 with most surviving retirement till the mid 80s. Cab 1541 was sold off and wound up on the N&W as their 557970.See page 171 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
See page 171 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
See page 70 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
Eagle Nov-Dec 1976 issue has a photo of these cabooses.
Jerry Michels placed these cabooses in the chapter on Wartime Cabooses though they preceeded the war by a few years. They were built in two groups beginning in November 1939 (1150 - 1154) and ended with the second group built in December 1940 into early 1941 (1155 - 1158) giving a total of 9 built at the Sedelia, Missouri Caboose shops.The MP called them "baggage-coach cabooses" and their purpose was for branchline service to cover passenger and LCL freight obligations.
The interiors were split into two sections with an interior wall. Each section had it's own coal stove with the passenger section having seats for 10 and two toilets and the baggage section having a desk, lockers and accomidations for the LCL freight.
The first series had interiors made of tongue and groove lumber while the second series had "Super-Hardboard" siding. Many used parts were used on these cabooses but the trucks were new. The interiors were painted non-standard colors with each section having it's own scheme.
These caboose were upgraded in the 1960s into the 1970s. In the 13... series renumbering these cabooses got the 13729 - 13736 series and were then downgraded into the 12... series with only one making it to an 11... series number. The last car was retired in 1987 after over 40 years of service.
Three of the cabooses are known to exist. The 1153 is privately owned in Doniphan, Missouri, the 1155 is at the Museum of Transport in St Louis, Missouri and one became the MP Safety Training car EAST ONE. It is now part of the Union Pacific Railroad still carrying on it's role in worker safety training usually in the company of the "Herbie" box car..
See page 65 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
SR CEI Steel Riveted xEJE built by International Car
See page 231 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
SSC CEI riveted Steel, Streamlined Cupola
Built by the Chicago & Eastern Illinois in their Danville, Illinois shops, C&EI cabooses 7-12 came to the MP as riveted steel cabooses with streamlined cupolas courtesy of a Wabash design. C&EI numbers 11, 14 and 21 didn't make it onto the MP.
Originally numbered MP 13494 - 13505, they went through a rebuilding program in Sedalia in the 70s shortly after coming on the MP. During their rebuilding they got the MP paint and decals of the day (C&EI Buzzsaw) but most importantly they got a standard MP built cupola to replace the original streamlined one. There is no evidence that any of these cabooses were in MP numbers with a streamlined cupola. With the exception of one, they retained their original numbers throughout their time on the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Some were rebuilt again and received the Screaming Eagle caboose decals. They are easily mistaken for a Texas & Pacific Steel caboose.
See page 223 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
The DeSoto Riveted cabooses (1016 - 1050) were built to the same general dimensions as the Horizontal Wood Sheathed cabooses and were all built by the MP. This was at a time when the MP was already using the welder to construct other cars in their shops. The rivet design pattern gives these cabooses a distinct look. They were originally built with one brake wheel on the long end but during the rebuilds of the 60s and 70s got the full treatment and renumbering into the 13300 - 13334 series.
See page 83 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
Built in Sedelia by the MP at the same time as the SSR cabooses were 180 Standard Steel Welded cabooses built from 1948 through 1950. These were split amongst the MP (105); the IGN (30); and the SLBM (45). These were a very "standard" caboose but through the years this group was used for many "first time" trials as the MP experimented with new paints, decals, windows and such. They were big roomy cars with fishbelly underframes that held up well through the years. They continually evolved through the years and during the rebuilds of the 60s some even were sent to International Car for rebuilding as the MP tried out shoping for it's rebuilds. During the rebuilds they also got caught up in the ongoing renumbering program and this is where things get very confusing. For that story you will need to read through the renumbering tables in the caboose book.
See page 86 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
SW MoPac Standard Wood Caboose
American Car and Foundry of Indiana built 210 cabooses for the MoPac over a 7 year period starting in 1924. One group each was built in 1924 (75) and 1925 (40) numbered from 700 - 814. It was 4 years later that the MP ordered the 815 - 874 series in 1929 and the 875 - 909 series in 1930. This made the final Standard Wood cabooses for the MP.These are considered the "standard" wood caboose for the MoPac since they were most prevalent for the next 40 years. They wore boxcar red paint with spelled out lettering before getting the reduced lettering schemes of the 30s. In the 50s and early 60s some received white, black or yellow handrails but most were retired before any major color changes could occur.
The only major change to the body was the advent of radio use which caused one window to be blanked where the radio equipment was placed.
64 of the cabooses were still active at the time of the 13000 series renumbering but there is no evidence to suggest that the numbers assigned to these cabooses were ever applied.
See page 49 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
The history of the Texas & Pacific Steel cabooses goes way back to the days of wood cabooses. Most began as former T&P 2300 series wood cabooses that were rebuilt into the 2500 series steel cabooses or were off the T&P roster by 1952.The T&P rebuild program of the 2300 series was done at the Marshall, Texas shops beginning in November of 1949. The first out was former T&P 2344 as new T&P 2500 and is unique in the class. There was over a years delay before the 2501 came out of the shops. With the release of the 2501, the T&P had it's first cabooses with electric generators and radios though not the same as the MP used. After the 2501, the cabooses assumed a uniform appearance through the rest of the class except for the changes in paint, heralds and lettering. In May of 1955, the Marshall shops built the last fifteen of the steel cabooses as new cabooses rather than as conversions of the 2300 series.
In the 1960s as the MP began to assert it's control over the T&P, it was reflected in the painting and lettering of the caboose fleet. With the full merger they came onto the MP as MP numbers 13065 - 13157. Between the mid-60s into the 70s these cabooses went through the rebuilding program at Sedalia, Missouri except for 19 and the ones scrapped. These 19 were sent off to International Car in 1964 and returned sporting propane actuated refrigerators and two having small MP Buzzsaws on the ends. This was not repeated. One spotting feature of the Sedalia rebuild is the horizontal brace applied to the outside of the long end used to support the overhead tanks that were installed. A number of these cabooses were in service on the MP/UP till the end. With over 50 years on some of the original frames, this was a design that proved it self through the years.
Because of the time frame these caboose were in use, the experimenting with decals, paint colors, the merger with the MP and the Sedalia rebuilding, this series makes for a great opportunity to model a variety of cabooses with the same basic design. Some of these cabooses wore variations of the T&P Diamond with several different placements, the T&P lettering changed and moved positions on the caboose body, T&P box car red and the various shades of MP vermilion, some had a Texas & Pacific Lines Buzzsaw while most had the various sizes of the Missouri Pacific Buzzsaw with T&P sub lettering. Even the lettering and numbers on the cupola changed. Truly a class that one can model.
See page 205 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
See page 126 of Cabooses of the Missouri Pacific Lines by J G Michels, Jr for details.
MoPac Caboose Reference Articles Eagle Vol 1 Number 2 Summary of Equipment, January 1, 1970 for cabooses is reproduced
Eagle Nov-Dec 1976 has a photo of a Steel Merchandise Caboose MP 1157.
Eagle January 1977 Reprint of an article from Feb 1977? "MO-PAC NEWS" announceing the building of the SBW caboose. John German in photo.
Eagle June 1977 Photo of first SBW 13542.
Eagle Vol 2 1977 Missouri-Illinois wood cabooses
Eagle Vol 5 Number 3 Fall 1980 Drawing of T&P bobber caboose 2025; Article - "Wartime NOT&M Cabooses" by C A Duckworth. Photos NOTM 2436, 2618, 2510, Diagram.
Eagle Vol 8 Number 2 "Missouri Pacific Caboose Painting Guide - 1927 to 1964" by C A Duckworth. Offical lettering diagram from 1927. Photos of MP 886-R, 888-R, 954-R, 1100, 1107.
Eagle Vol 8 Number 3 "Missouri Pacific Standard Steel Cabooses and More" by Jerry Michels. Photos MP 217, 943-R, 1020, 1136, 1141, 1189-R, 1203-R, 12448, 13272, 13311, 6 Diagrams.
Eagle Vol 8 Number 4 Reprint of a MPL magazine article on the new "Caboose-Merchandise Cars" that the MP was useing. Diagram, Photo 1000, 1105.
Eagle Vol 10 Number 2 "KO&G's International Car Cabooses" by Jerry Pitts. Photos of KOG 1539, 1551, MP 1552, 12231, 12243, 13238, Diagram, Paint & decaling information.
Eagle Vol 10 Number 3 In an article on Osawatomie, Kansas has 3 photos of early wood cabooses.
Eagle Vol 11 Number 2 Summer 1986 an article on the Missouri Pacific's Magor steel cabooses and their homebuilt MAGor Copies by Jerry Michels. Photos MP 281-R, 528-R, 910, 917, 1231, 1234, 11030, 11031, 11036, 11040, 11635, 12000, 12013, 2 diagrams.
Eagle Vol 12 Number 3 an article by Dave Sapp describing how to scratch build a MP Horizontal Wood Sheathed caboose. The Article has prototype photos, model photos, a MP equipment drawing, 1/4" scale drawing, and isometric drawings of the model under construction, materials list and of course directions, short history, decaling and painting. A really nice article that will tie in with the modeling of Jerry Michels below. Photos of MP 943-R, 946
Eagle Vol 15 Number 1 Article by Jerry Michels on the donation of MP 13546 for the Archives.
Eagle Vol 14 Number 2 Article by Paul Lebeck on the donation of MP 13617 to California, Missouri Boy Scouts
Eagle Vol 15 Number 1 Article on the arrival of Caboose 13546 as the Missouri Pacific Archives. Diagram and photos.
Eagle Vol 16 Number 1 Photo of a Muley Caboose converted to a bunk car in MOW service as MP X2636.
Eagle Vol 17 Number 3 Drovers Cabooses by Charles Duckworth. Photos of MP 1102, 1106, 1109, 1113, 2 interior photos, 2 diagrams.
Eagle Vol 18 Number 3 Part II-the follow up. On Drovers Cabooses by Jerry Pitts. Photos of MP 1100, MP 1103
Eagle Vol 18 Number 3 Article on the dedication of Caboose 13546 as the Missouri Pacific Archives.
Eagle Vol 21 Number 1&2 Combined issue has an article by J G Michels Jr on SBW caboose conversions to Union Pacific gang transport cars and the subsequent renumberings.
Eagle Vol 22 Number 3 "A Successful Hunt" by Jerry Michels. The search for MP 854, a standard wood caboose, and depot in Kyle, Texas.
Eagle Vol 28 Number 3 Review by Jerry Michels and Joe Altnether of Overland's HO brass model of the MP Magor and Magor copies. Color photos of the models and prototype photos of MP 917R, 11050, 12025 and 13029.
Eagle Vol 28 Number 4 Article by Jerry Michels titled "Further Additions to Missouri Caboose History". This article talks about gleaning information from photos using a scanner with photo examples. It also has a roster of the 932-967 series converted passenger car cabooses that were in use from 1923 thru 1927.
Mainline Modeler V1, Number 4 has a scratch building article and plans on the MoPac/ Wabash ACF caboose. It's 13 pages with plans and 3 Joe Collias photos.
Mainline Modeler June 1995, "Missouri Pacific Cabooses" by Jerry Michels
Railroad Model Craftsman May 1991 page 76 has an article by Jerry Michels on modeling several variations of the MP home built cabooses using four brass models by Hallmark and Overland. This article has a pretty good background history of the classes, model paint and mix formulas, decaling info and photos of the prototype and the finished models. Pretty much the entire package.
This article covers cabooses in these series. MP 250 - 254 13245 - 13249 Welded steel caboose
I-GN 255 - 279 13365 - 13388 Welded steel caboose
StLB&M 480 - 499 13250 - 13269 Welded steel caboose
StLB&M 500 - 524 13389 - 13411 Welded steel caboose
MP 934 - 954 13270 - 13285 Horizontal wood sheathed caboose
MP 1016 - 1050 13300 - 13334 Riveted steel caboose
MP 1051 - 1080 13335 - 13364 Welded steel caboose
MP 1125 - 1149 13412 - 13435 Welded steel caboose
MP 1170 - 1229 13436 - 13439 Welded steel caboose
CABINS, CRUMMIES, & HACKS, Vol. 4 by Henderson has an elevated photo of MP13631
If you know of any articles which should appear here Please let me know and I'll add them. Thanks!
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