Tangent HO Union Pacific (UP) “Ex-Route Rock White Patch 1980+” w/ Red-Green Lights ICC Rock Island Bay Window Caboose – #24605

• Product: International Car Company Bay Window Caboose
• Scale: HO Scale 1:87.1
• Truck: Tangent Scale Models 70-ton Barber roller bearing trucks with separate brake beam parts
• Wheels: CNC-machined standard RP25 .110” tread 33” wheels
• DC/DCC Lighting Features: Interior Lights and Prototypical Red-Green Roof Tripod Marker Lights
• Era: 1980-1985

– Union Pacific (UP) “Ex-Route Rock White Patch 1980+” w/Red-Green Lights shows off the post-apocalyptic life of a ROCK caboose.  In April 1980, the UP retrieved all UP-owned cabooses from the bankrupt and shut-down RI.  This included all of the ICC 1967, 1968, 1970 and 1971-built cars — remember, they actually owned all of these RI cabooses!  The renumbering started immediately, including this example, patched and renumbered by UP Omaha in May of 1980.  This Tangent offering is painted in off-white color with fresh UP-applied white patches covering the ROUTE ROCK lettering and reporting marks.  UP also applied black reporting marks on the bay window and ends.  This model car number is part of the RI’s 1970 group of ICC Bay Window Cabooses.  This order had a slightly taller body than 1966 and 1967 Rock Island orders.  Notice the extra vertical body space above the bay window.  The side corner sealed windows 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.  These models feature all of 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 1970 build date.  The steps and end walkways on the model are beautiful Apex pattern etch metal.  The end railings are late ICC style, with air release and brake wheel details.  Underneath, the model features a 1970 variation of the Waugh cushion underframe with complete brake gear and piping details.  For those paying attention, it has a reversed orientation of the Waugh cushion unit and return spring when compared to the later 1971 order.  Each RI ICC order is distinctive, and Tangent does its homework to get these differences correct!  A later “plain” style battery box is there, properly located, along the axle generator pulley.  The gravity dump toilet pipe has been replaced on this model with a closed, capped pipe for draining at the service points.  The model rides on Tangent’s gorgeous 70-Ton Barber Roller Bearing trucks with 33″ standard .110” tread CNC wheels.  For lighting, this Tangent UP model is equipped with prototypical red-green roof tripod lights and “golden” interior lights, mimicking the incandescent bulbs of the real cabooses.  This prototype never received an FRA red end light before acquisition by the UP.  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.