Tangent HO Gantt Manufacturing Bay Window Caboose Norfolk Southern “MOW Ballast Train Service”

Description

Railroad Short Name: NS

Norfolk Southern (NS) “MOW Ballast Train Service 1992″ w/ FRA End Light & Interior Lights gives the NS modelers a neat application of NS Orange MOW paint and a new assignment for some of the Gantt cabooses.  In 1992, the NS assigned 10 cabooses to ballast train use.  The experiment only lasted a few years.  Painted orange, they really stood out in the train!  7 of the 10 known ballast train cabooses were pulled from the prototype Gantt caboose series covered by the Tangent SOU models.  We are offering two different examples for this release.  Both share the same paint scheme, with an orange carbody, black underframe and yellow stepwells and handrails.  Safety first!  The sides display a large bold NS logo and ballast train assignment stenciling.  The smokejack has been removed but next to its former location is a Motorola “firecracker” antenna.  The one side of the caboose body features the battery access door and charging plug.  Underneath, the 70-Ton Barber Roller Bearing Generator Caboose Trucks with 33″ standard .110” tread CNC wheels are equipped with an accurate Safety Electric axle generator.  For lighting, this Tangent SOU model is equipped with “golden” interior lights and FRA red end lights.  A wand is included to operate the lights – easy with no fuss!

Features:

• Dimensional accuracy – designed from meticulous field dimensions using real tape measures on four real SOU Gantt cabooses – see “thank you” section below for more details for our project field research
• Highly correct “true to life” colors
• “Hyper-Accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement
• Genuine Kadee® scale couplers
• “Near-scale” draft gear box
• Multiple road numbers for each scheme, as appropriate
• Road and Era-specific details for each RTR scheme, including multiple body, roof, underframe detail and truck combinations
• A beautiful Stanray “terminating” diagonal panel roof with accurate huck bolt details everywhere!
• Accurate step and end tread patterns
• Underframe details to match as-built Gantt configurations
• Multiple roof configurations for different roof walkway bracket, antenna and solar panel mounting locations
• Underframe and truck axle drive generator options
• Different end railing/marker light options, based on Gantt build date and era
• Two different wire “coupler lift bar” detail options, per prototype application
• Accurate SOU-specific interior, including iconic angled-back notched bay window seating, conductor desk and stationery equipment locker, tall lockers, coal stove, coal bin, open toilet area with retention tank, sink, water storage tank, ice chest and more. The interior is accurately painted in Southern’s Silver Gray Enamel.
• Full underbody details – brake system with brake rods and piping, release rod, and even the toilet air flush tank for the inside retention tank – all based on the prototype!
• Beautiful side wire curved grab irons and intricate Gantt end railings in plastic
• LED illuminated FRA end lights with a proper SOU “solid on” (i.e. no flash) that can be controlled on or off – on each end – independently, where appropriate by paint scheme
• LED illuminated interior lighting “warm” lights to replicate Aladdin lamps or incandescent bulbs of the prototypes 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!)
• Two Southern Railway truck options: “Road” cabooses are equipped with all-new 70-Ton Barber Roller Bearing Generator Caboose Trucks, and “Local” cabooses are equipped with all-new 50-Ton Plain Bearing/Leaf Spring Caboose Trucks.
• Recommended age 14 years and older