Tangent HO Gantt Manufacturing Bay Window Caboose Southern “Original 1971, Local Service”

Description

Railroad Short Name: SOU

Southern Railway (SOU) Local Service “Original 1971” w/ Interior Lights duplicates the SOU “Local Service” cabooses, as delivered new from Gantt Manufacturing.  Local service translates to no electricity in the caboose.  Yes, these cabooses were built “dark,” so that means the interior is lit with oil lamps and there is no radio equipment.  The exterior of the caboose was painted in the familiar red paint scheme, but with one important change: a bright yellow bay window to keep these cabooses clearly marked from the road pool.  The Tangent model shows off all of these distinctive features for your local trains.  The roof is accurately unpainted (i.e. silver), but if you look closely, you will notice the red over spray coming up from the sides and onto the roof surface.  This over spray is documented in photos and we carefully duplicated that look on the model.  The black underframe shows off all of that great detail, including center sill pad printing for the reporting marks and car number!  The white SOUTHERN lettering fills the left side of the car, and the small data lettering is carefully drawn, including the BLT stencil matching Gantt’s distinctive type style.  Notice the “high” mounted ACI label, and trust data, accurate for a Gantt-delivered scheme.  That yellow bay window looks great with the silver window frame trim.  This group of cabooses was built in 1971, so that means it was built without roof-top walkways, and the model’s Stanray roof reflects this accurately.  The roof features an accurate style of smokejack for Gantt’s 1971 production.  Underneath, the model is equipped with 50-Ton Plain Bearing Caboose Trucks with Leaf Springs.  The ends of the caboose feature accurate Gantt-fabricated railings and power brake posts, along with little details like an air release valve and pipe, SOU-style round end reflective target, and retainer valve and pipe on the B-end next to the door.  The large body and bay windows allow you to view that full Tangent interior.  Even though there is no electricity, the cabooses are equipped with a full, 1971-modern interior that includes padded bay window bench seats and a chemical retention toilet!  For lighting, this Tangent SOU model is equipped with “golden” interior lights, mimicking the oil lamps of the real local cabooses.  A wand is included to operate the lighting – easy with no fuss!   We are offering our SOU Local Service “Original 1971” scheme in 4 numbers.  Each car number features accurate month and day data in the BLT, Paint and LUB stencils.

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