The Tangent Scale Models NP/SP&S/BN International Car Corporation Wide Vision Caboose System is a state of the art, dimensionally-accurate scale replica with highly accurate “true-to-life” colors and precise letter stencils. Designed from meticulous field dimensions, Tangent Scale Models include build year and era-specific details such as full brake system details, underframe detail variations, body side/end window variations, and wide vision cupola options. The details don’t stop there: Tangent includes a Waugh Cushion Underframe, electrical conduits, toilet vent, caboose window treatments accurate for the era of the caboose, plus beautiful see-through steps, end platforms, and running boards all applied to multiple NP/SP&S/BN-specific ICC Wide Vision bodies. Inside the model are road-specific (NP, SP&S, BN) ICC-applied interiors. These cabooses include interior lighting, plus marker light options that are era-appropriate for the paint scheme of each caboose. These “no fuss” track-powered interior and exterior marker lights are compatible with DC or DCC setups right out of the box (a simple wand included in the box activates the lights). Finally, Tangent Scale Models ready-to-operate replica includes “near-scale” draft gear box including side “key” detail, coupler lift bars accompanying Kadee scale couplers, sufficient hidden weights, and CNC-machined wheels to ensure the model operates as good as it looks.

Features for these replicas include:

• Dimensional accuracy – designed from meticulous field dimensions using real tape measures of real BN/NP cabooses (preferably located near BBQ joints).

• Highly correct “true to life” colors

• “Hyper-Accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement

• Genuine Kadee scale couplers

• “Near-scale” draft gear box with beautifully-rendered side “key” detail

• Multiple road numbers for each scheme, as appropriate

• Road and Era-specific details for each RTR scheme, including multiple body, roof, cupola, underframe detail and side window combinations

• Eight different road and era-specific wide vision body options

• Three different road-specific wide vision cupola options

• Four different roof options

• Morton and Apex “See through” running boards

• Accurate Waugh Cushion Underframe

• Railroad and era-specific underframe details to match as-built ICC and modified configurations

• Multiple cupola roof configurations for different radio antenna mounting locations

• End steps and walkways that carefully replicate the prototype Morton or Apex walkway pattern

• The finest etched metal side and end window screens in HO scale, where appropriate

• Three different road-specific smokejack options

• Three different era-specific truck axle drive generator options

• Four different end railing/marker light options, based on railroad and era

• Two “coupler lift bar” options per prototype application and era

• NP/SPS and BN-specific interiors – chairs, bunks, desk, lockers, refrigerator, oil bunker and the most detailed Vapor Corporation TCHA55 Caban heater in HO Scale!

• The interior is fully painted with railroad and era-specific colors

• Full underbody details – brake system with brake rods and piping, release rod, water fills, and more – all based on the prototype and era!

• Beautiful side wire curved grab irons, intricate ICC end railings in plastic with accurate wire top ladder hoops

• Consumer applied optional metal red/green “flag” paddle parts included for appropriate eras

• Consumer applied optional cupola Prime wind deflector parts included for appropriate eras

• LED illuminated scale-sized BN Red-Green Marker light boxes that can be controlled red/green/off – on each end – independently, where appropriate

• LED illuminated scale-sized BN FRA end lights with a proper steady “on” that can be controlled on or off – on each end – independently, where appropriate

• LED illuminated interior lighting “warm” lights to replicate incandescent bulbs that can be controlled on or off

• No complicated decoder.  No complicated programming.  No complicated electronics. DC/DCC compatible track-powered “no fuss” interior and marker light lighting – simple and easy to operate with included wand

• CNC-machined standard RP25 .110” tread 33” wheels (Yes, semi-scale .088” wheels are available separately!)

• All-New precision Tangent Scale Models 70-ton Barber roller bearing trucks with separate brake beam part, or 70-Ton Gould roller bearing trucks with separate brake beam parts, as appropriate for each paint scheme

• Recommended age 14 years and older

Burlington Northern (BN) “1981+ No Running Boards, No Windows” w/FRA Red Lights gives some great examples of 1980s railroading. Time marches forward, and cabooses were in a constant state of change. This Tangent group of cabooses is from BN’s final 50-car order built by ICC in Kenton, Ohio in 1972. However, “…the times they are a-changin’.” BN modernized these cabooses in 1981. What does this mean? For these specific numbers, the running boards have been removed and 4 grab irons have been installed on the roof near the wide vision cupola. Still present on the roof are the individual running board brackets. The side window glass has been removed and the openings plated over with steel. The axle generator has been changed to a Dayco belt-drive, visible on the outside of the truck. With the fresh green paint touch-up, this makes for a completely different look for the end of the train. Of course, to execute these changes accurately in 2023 HO Scale means yet another new body for this Tangent caboose system. The ends also feature an updated FRA lighting set up, as the red-green light has been replaced with a single steady-red FRA light. Fun fact: Did you know that BN FRA end red lights don’t flash? It’s these little details that are worth getting right. Tangent Scale Models have chosen four numbers to model the specific lettering, paint outs, COTS panels variations and more based on real photos. Yes, that means each of the four numbers is slightly different. Tangent Scale Models even used a slightly “darker” BN green to give a better starting canvas to mimic that weathered 1981 look. Tangent Scale Models have your back, 1980s BN modelers!

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