In 2007, Tangent Scale Models started the trend of offering unparalleled railroad freight car replicas in HO scale, the likes of which had never been seen in the market. These highly-detailed replicas have consistently raised the bar for HO scale models with several hallmarks, including precision tooling, hyper-accurate stenciling, true to life colors, and era-specific details. Additionally, Tangent Scale Models models are designed to operate perfectly by including CNC-machined wheels, correct weights, and correct coupler heights. Simply put: Tangent Scale Models offer detailed freight cars on a higher level.

Fast forward to Tangent Scale Models July 2024 release: their fifth “Tangent quality” HO scale caboose offering. The era of “one size fits all” cabooses in HO scale plastic is over. Tangent Scale Models bring their passion and knowledge for translating real 1:1 railroad equipment from freight cars to cabooses. And Tangent Scale Models are taking things a step further, where their penchant for operations is accelerated with accurate marker lighting in era-specific versions!

Tangent Scale Models fifth caboose model is the HO Scale Rock Island Lines International Car Corporation Bay Window Caboose System. This RI system covers the majority of the ICC bay-window Rock Island fleet — four different caboose orders between 1966-1971. These bay window cabooses were the primary road cabooses for the final decade and a half of the Rock Island. Built at ICC’s Kenton Ohio facilities, these 130 cabooses are easily-recognizable, with their bright paint schemes, bay windows, and classic Rock Island roof-top tripod marker lights. This Tangent caboose marks the first “high-detail” Rock Island caboose replica in HO scale.

These cabooses are shipping today! Features for these replicas include:

– Dimensional accuracy – designed from meticulous field dimensions using real tape measures of four real RI cabooses (usually 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, bay window, underframe detail, truck and side window combinations

– Five different road and era-specific bay window body options

– Four different era-specific bay window options

– Four different roof options

– Apex “see through” running board

– Accurate Waugh Cushion Underframe – 2 configurations

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

– Multiple roof configurations for different radio antenna and vent mounting locations

– End steps and walkways that carefully replicate the prototype Apex walkway pattern

– Unapologetically fine etch metal side and end window screens, where appropriate

– Underframe and truck axle drive generator options

– Ten different end railing/marker light options, based on ICC lot and era

– Wire “coupler lift bar” detail per prototype application

– RI-specific interior – chairs, bunk, desk, lockers, ice chest, sink, oil bunker and the most detailed Vapor Corporation TCHA55 Caban heater in HO Scale! The interior is fully painted with era-specific colors

– Full underbody details – brake system with brake rods and piping, release rod 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 metal bay window screens on UP models for appropriate eras

– LED illuminated RI rooftop tripod marker lights that can be controlled red/green/off – on each end – independently, where appropriate

– LED illuminated UP Red/Green end marker lights that can be controlled red/green/off – on each end – independently, where appropriate

– LED illuminated FRA end lights with a proper “decaying” flash 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 Rockwell 50-ton Barber roller bearing trucks with separate brake beam part, or 70-ton Barber roller bearing trucks with separate brake beam parts, as appropriate for each paint scheme

– Recommended age 14 years and older

A big “thank you” to:

– The RailsWest Museum and their staff in Council Bluffs, Iowa for allowing us to spend an entire day measuring RI 17130, one of the 1967 builds. A real RI caboose, in front of a real RI depot. That’s hard to beat.

– The City of Schuyler, Nebraska for allowing us access to measure the RI 17202, one of the 1971 builds. Rockwell trucks, a beautiful sunny day, and the roaring UP mainline.

– The town of Cheyenne Wells, Colorado for unknowingly waiting to repaint their UP 24598 (Ex RI 17180) from its 1980 bandit white ROCK scheme until after Tangent Scale Models visit. A quiet rural Colorado sunrise and the final moments of original ROCK lettering – so worth it.

– The Great Plains Transportation Museum in Wichita, Kansas for their operating UP 24538 (Ex-RI 17120). Looking just like the day it came off the railroad — Layers of RI, UP and even some CNW lease lettering (!) to enjoy.

– Rock Island (RI) “Delivery 1971” w/ Red-Green Lights & Rockwell Trucks illustrates the final order of ten ICC cabooses delivered to Rock Island. This group is most often noticed by RI (and later UP) modelers because of application of distinctive Rockwell “Express” trucks. These trucks were being tested by railroads in this era and provided additional stability at high speed. The prototype cabooses from this 1971 lot rode on these Rockwell trucks for their entire RI service lives. The models are painted in the as-delivered red, yellow and black scheme but differs from the 1967 scheme Tangent Scale Models are offering because the ROCK ISLAND is spelled out with slanted “speed” lettering. The silver roof is finished with a gorgeous red overspray pattern, duplicating the look of the cabooses when delivered from ICC Kenton. This order has a slightly taller body than the 1966 and 1967 Rock Island orders. Notice the extra vertical body space above the bay window. The side corner sealed windows have changed to rounded aluminum frames, compared to earlier orders with gasketed windows. The conductor’s desk window has an accurate framed sash/screened window, just like the prototype. Each RI ICC order is distinctive, and Tangent does its homework to get these details correct! These models feature all those interesting roof details, with the tripod marker lights, antenna and stand, roof vents and smokejack all present. Notice the lack of a roof walkway – these cabooses were built this way since this feature had fallen out of favor with the RI and ICC by the 1971 build date. The steps and end walkways on the model are beautiful Apex pattern etch metal. The end railings are classic ICC style, with careful paint masking for RI. RI used a very light gray/aluminum color for end railings and step edges. Underneath, the model features a 1971 variation of the Waugh cushion underframe with complete brake gear and piping details. The gravity dump toilet pipe is gone in this era, replaced with a closed, capped pipe for draining at the service points. The1971 style battery box is there, properly located, along with accurate conduit piping and the axle generator pulley. The model rides on Tangent’s All-New 50-Ton Rockwell Express Roller Bearing trucks with 33″ standard .110” tread CNC wheels. For lighting, this Tangent RI model is equipped with prototypical red-green roof tripod lights and “golden” interior lights, mimicking the incandescent bulbs of the real cabooses. A wand is included to operate the lights – easy with no fuss! Extra parts are included to model the metal flag paddles/flag holders on the body corners.

Looking for more Tangent Scale Models Cabooses? Click here!