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REVIEW: Milwaukee Road Rib Sided Caboose G 2020 S;<br />
MSRP: $259<br />
Weaver Models, PO Box 231, Northumberland, PA 17857<br />
9434-9434-9434 •www.weavermodels.com<br />
Reviewed By Gene Clements<br />
The Prototype<br />
It’s been quite a few years since I’ve made a trip on the<br />
caboose, but come along as we review Weaver’s Milwaukee<br />
Road Caboose and relive a bit of nostalgia.<br />
During its working life on America’s railroads, the<br />
caboose served as the office for the conductor as well as<br />
a platform to monitor the operation and movement of its<br />
train. Equipped with tools and supplies to make emergency<br />
repairs to freight cars while en-route, the caboose was for<br />
many years the home away from home for its crew.<br />
The caboose was usually equipped with a cupola or<br />
bay window arrangement which allowed the crew to view<br />
and inspect the sides of their train while moving around<br />
curves and straight sections of track. The Milwaukee Road<br />
rib-sided bay window caboose has to be one of the most<br />
unique and remembered of American railroading. The<br />
“Rib-Siders” were constructed by the Milwaukee Road’s<br />
home shop at Milwaukee starting in 19<strong>39</strong>. The rib-sided<br />
construction proved to be lighter and stronger than traditional<br />
methods at the time. A total of 315 were constructed<br />
in several different varieties with modifications and<br />
improvements being added between 19<strong>39</strong> and 1951.<br />
MILW #992114, one of the final rib-sided cabooses built<br />
in 1951, is currently on display at Bensenville, IL.<br />
The Model<br />
Once out of its custom-fit container, we find a well built<br />
and detailed brass model that captures the essence of the<br />
prototype. The workmanship, such as the application of<br />
grab-irons and other details, including the see-thru grill<br />
roof walkway, is expertly done. This 2-Rail version comes<br />
equipped with Weaver die cast metal couplers (Kadee®<br />
Style & Compatible) and metal insulated wheel sets. The<br />
trucks are a friction bearing type with both coil and leaf<br />
springs, similar to an express style truck. Interior lighting is<br />
provided by a two-bulb system with two-rail pick-up from<br />
each truck. Clear window glazing is included, as well as an<br />
interior with seats, table and tool storage compartments.<br />
Fidelity<br />
Although I did not find a set of scale drawings of this<br />
caboose in my library, the model appears to be correctly<br />
built in comparison to photographs that I located on the<br />
Internet. The paintwork is very well done in the Milwaukee<br />
Road Orange body, semi-gloss black roof and undercarriage<br />
with the grab irons being highlighted in white. All<br />
are correct according to the photographs. The difference<br />
between the early and late versions appears to be the<br />
lettering of the car body. This early version had “The Milwaukee<br />
Road” printed on the letter-board above the bay<br />
window, while the later version has the “Milwaukee Road”<br />
herald applied to the side of the body. The placement of<br />
grabirons, safety railing and the end platforms correspond<br />
with the prototype photographs. The model also includes a<br />
detailed brake system complete with air hoses.<br />
Compatibility<br />
This caboose is a very well done, ready-to-run model.<br />
Its MSRP is within the range of most r-t-r brass models of<br />
this type. The caboose weighs in at 19 – 20 ozs. NMRA<br />
recommendations for a 34’ O <strong>Scale</strong> car like this are 13.5<br />
ozs. The additional weight should ensure good tracking<br />
and electrical pickup. In applying the NMRA Standards<br />
and Kadee® coupler gages, I found the wheels on both<br />
axles of one truck had wide gauge, plus the axles were<br />
tight in the side frames. The couplers were about four scale<br />
inches high on one end and eight scale inches high on the<br />
opposite end.<br />
Performance & Conclusion<br />
A quick adjustment at the workbench is all that’s<br />
required to correct the wheel gauge. While there, the addition<br />
of shims to lower the couplers to the correct height<br />
can be done. With adjustments made, the wheels and couplers<br />
re-checked, it’s on the mainline to couple to the rear<br />
of a mixed freight. The caboose looked like it was back<br />
at home in the 1940s; it even sounded good over the rail<br />
joints on my layout. Operating on DCC (or 3-rail AC) the<br />
interior lights remain bright and constant. On a standard<br />
DC system you can expect the lights to brighten and dim<br />
according to the track voltage.<br />
For the serious Milwaukee Road modeler or collector<br />
of unique models of American Railroading, you can’t go<br />
wrong with this model. All it needs is a crew, a bit of road<br />
weathering and its place on the rear of a freight and you’ll<br />
think you’ve gone back in time to a place where the “Rib-<br />
Sider” was a common sight on the end of a Milwaukee<br />
Road freight train.<br />
50 • O <strong>Scale</strong> <strong>Trains</strong> - Jul;y/Aug ’08
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