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.

– UP Chicago & North Western (CNW) Lease 1980+ w/Red-Green Lights and FRA Red Light replicates a pair of interesting lease examples of ex-RI equipment. In 1980, the C&NW took control of significant ex-RI track miles in Iowa/Minnesota and was also planning the rebuild of its own caboose fleet. The C&NW needed road cabooses fast. The UP leased several dozen ex-RI ICC Bay Window cabooses to the C&NW through 1981. These cabooses can be identified by tiny 1” “LEASED TO CNW” stenciling on the body or bay window, but retained their UP bandit paint jobs. When returned in 1981, the cabooses continued to serve the UP with intact CNW stenciling (UP Modelers take note!) These two specific numbers are chosen from RI’s 1966 ICC order of 25 cabooses. The 1966 order features end brake wheel supports in a “zigzag” upright style, different from the 1967 order. These Ex-RI CNW Lease models feature an incredible story of paint and details; while originally built in 1966, the RI modernized the cabooses in the mid-1970s, resulting in removal of the running boards and cut-down ladders on the ends. The walkway brackets remained on the roof. The RI also added an FRA red light on each end in 1979, as part of the marker light updates for the era. All of these features are carefully duplicated in HO. The model is painted a faded red, mimicking RI’s now-faded 1966 solid red scheme, and each specific number features photo-accurate patches and data. Caboose UP 24503 features a patched bay window but kept the large “ROCK ISLAND” body lettering. Caboose UP 24506 received extensive patches, obliterating the large “ROCK ISLAND” lettering. Each caboose features accurate ACI (or patched ACI), COTS, U-1 inspection dot and other data per photos. The models ride on Tangent’s gorgeous 70-Ton Barber 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, red FRA flashing end 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. Tangent Scale Models are offering their CNW Lease 1980+ scheme in 2 different numbers, each with photo-specific paint patches and lettering!

Looking for more Tangent Scale Models Cabooses? Click here!