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. Simply put: We offer detailed freight cars on a higher level.
Fast forward to today’s release: the second release of our inaugural “Tangent quality” HO scale caboose offering. The era of “one size fits all” cabooses in HO scale plastic is over. We bring our passion and knowledge for translating real 1:1 railroad equipment from freight cars to cabooses. And we are taking things a step further, where our penchant for operations is accelerated with accurate marker lighting in era-specific versions! Our cars also have full interior lighting.
Today we are celebrating the arrival of summer and the return of our B&O Class I-18 Bay Window Caboose. This fleet of “modern” bay window cabooses were delivered by International Car Co. (ICC), based in Kenton, OH. These were the first welded carbody cabooses on B&O, and they included modern features like full electrical lighting and marker lights, desks and high-back chairs, an oil heater, and roller bearing trucks. The B&O I-18 class was delivered in 1965 and 1966, with most cabooses serving through the B&O and Chessie eras. Most of the fleet survived to see service on CSX.
The I-18 fleet was in an almost constant state of change as they served the B&O. The B&O made equipment changes quickly after taking delivery in 1965 and 1966. Multiple Chessie System paint schemes, including the incredible eight “Safety Cabooses,” would start later in 1973. Exterior lighting and plumbing changes would kick in through the 1970s. The 1980s would bring more repaints, renumbering and further equipment changes. The Tangent ICC B&O I-18 replica follows many of these same paths to execute specific detail and paint combinations. This is not a “one size fits all” caboose, but instead a grouping of era-specific Chessie cabooses!
Tangent’s second release is AVAILABLE TODAY and includes the following eight schemes plus one undecorated option:
– Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) “Original Blue 1968+” replicates the as-delivered paint scheme as applied by International Car Company. All 46 I-18 cabooses originally wore this classic B&O Royal Blue with bold yellow ends and unpainted silver roof. Soon after their 1965-1966 arrival, the B&O made exterior changes for safety including updating the end steps & platform locations, changing railings and adding protective bay window side screens. This is where we start with our model — the 1968+ era, after these changes have been implemented. All of the original 1965 classic white B&O graphics are present, even down to the brake badge and ICC paint stencil. The fully-painted, two-tone green interior is illuminated with (dim!) lights and the scale-size Pyle lanterns are lit as well. We are offering this scheme in two new numbers different from our January 2020 release.
– Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Blue Simplified 1969+ represents a “one-off” but interesting paint scheme with a story! This caboose was wrecked in October in 1967 and was repaired and repainted at the B&O DuBois Shops in January 1969. It features simplified graphics; for example note there is not a “B&O” on the bay window. Also, note the later-era capitol logo graphic. Eagle-eyed modelers will also notice the I-18A class stencil on this caboose. This duplicates exactly what DuBois did, creating a “new class” of caboose that was not officially acknowledged in most B&O documentation. We offer this scheme in one prototypically-accurate road number, the C-3013.
– Chessie System (B&O) “1973+ Repaint” gives us one of the most recognizable paint schemes of all time. Starting in 1973, the B&O’s DuBois, Pennsylvania, Shops applied the railroad’s new Chessie System graphics and yellow & blue paint to the I-18 fleet. Orange striping and a silver roof added a sharp finish for the scheme. DuBois paint details included the blue smoke jack and orange paint under the silver roof eaves. Note the “high” application of the Chessie cat logo — so there would be enough room underneath it for the ACI label. This 1973 paint scheme includes era appropriate details like Pyle lanterns and the standard toilet dump pipe. Check out the four individual red reflectors on the end railings! Lighting features include prototypically dim interior lights as well as lit Pyle lanterns. We are offering this scheme in two new numbers different from our January 2020 release.
– Chessie System (B&O) “B&O Light Blue Chessie Safety 1973+” is the first of our safety scheme offerings for this production. Perhaps the most recognizable of the B&O Safety cabooses, C-3035 was repainted by the B&O DuBois Shops with a beautiful light blue and silver combination. The caboose features the “KEEP SAFETY IN MIND ALL OF THE TIME” slogan. Chessie Safety cabooses ran system-wide and were even part of an employee spotting contest in 1974, where the winner who spotted the most cabooses won a clock radio! Lighting features on our include prototypically dim interior lights as well as lit Pyle lanterns. This scheme is available in one prototypically accurate number: C-3035. Don’t miss it.
– Chessie System (B&O) “Maroon Chessie Safety 1975+” is the second of our safety scheme offerings for this production. Our model of caboose C-3017 is presented in its 1975+ form with the DuBois Shops addition of the blue toilet retention tank to the underframe, painted-out IDT stencils on the air reservoir, and era-appropriate black and white COTS. “SAFETY & SERVICE – WE WORK FOR BOTH” provides a constant reminder for employee safety. Lighting features include interior lights as well as lit Pyle lanterns. This scheme is available in one prototypically accurate number: C-3017.
– Chessie System (B&O) “Raceland Repaint 1981+” illustrates one of the I-18 cabooses that received new paint. While this caboose had been previously updated with Chessie-style fixed “box” markers, replacing the small silver Pyle lanterns, as well as a new FRA-approved Star Model 845-F Incandescent Flashing end light, in 1981, the C&O Raceland, Kentucky, shops repainted caboose C-3005 with a fresh coat of yellow. Check out the details of this 1981 Raceland paint job, including the silver smoke jack, silver area under the roof eaves, and distinctive C&O style “3” in the 3019. Notice the slightly lower Chessie cat, since the ACI label is no longer present, and of course, correct COTS lettering per the prototype. Lighting features include prototypically dim interior lights, lit box markers, and red flashing end lights. The FRA flashing red end light is worth noting — it has the correct flash rate and decay of the real thing. No “generic” LED flash here! This scheme is available in one prototypically accurate number: C-3005.
– Chessie System (B&O) “1982+” offers a new, previously unreleased road number for a restenciled Chessie caboose. This example wears its 1973 Chessie paint job but includes feature updates to the details matching the prototype 1982+ appearance. Our caboose features fresh yellow bay window patches from its renumbering to the 6-digit Chessie caboose series. The end stenciling on this car is different from our other releases, because Chessie restenciled the caboose with blue B&O “style” end stenciling which of course we have faithfully recreated on our model. This caboose exhibits the details of Chessie cabooses that made it to 1982: updated toilet retention tanks, Chessie “box” style markers, COTS and inspection interval lettering, and of course the FRA red end lights. Lighting features include prototypically dim interior lights, lit box markers, and red flashing end lights. This scheme is available in one accurate number: 903031.
– CSX “Ex-Chessie Patch 2002+” offers one of the few CSX restencil offerings for the I-18 class of former B&O cabooses. This model represents the caboose in today’s world, still wearing its 1973 B&O DuBois paint job. This caboose remains in service today as a shoving platform. All of the FRA lights have been removed from the prototype and our model replicates that, however we included the interior lights on our model. Instead of FRA red lighting, CSXT painted three red squares on the ends of the caboose to denote end of train. CSXT also removed the four red lenses on the ends. Additionally, all of the side and end windows have been plated over with fresh yellow paint. The Tangent CSXT 2002+ patch includes 9 different colors of paint and stenciling to complete, and is a stunner available in one prototypically accurate road number: CSXT 900064. Don’t miss it!
– Undecorated KIT “Pyle” Marker Lights is a fully unassembled kit version of the earlier 1968+ era B&O ICC I-18 Caboose. This kit features the earlier Pyle lantern plastic parts. This kit is UNLIT — no electronics are included. It is perfect for those who want to build their own cars or want to customize their own lighting circuit options. Ready for painting and lettering for a prototype or your own private road. This kit includes Tangent 70T Gould Roller Bearing trucks with power-pickup and 33″ standard 110 tread CNC wheels. You supply your own favorite couplers.
All of these models can be seen by clicking here!
The Tangent Scale Models B&O I-18 Bay Window Caboose is a state of the art, dimensionally accurate scale replica with highly accurate “true-to-life” colors and precise letter stencils. This caboose has never been offered before – in brass, resin, or plastic! Our B&O I-18 caboose was designed from meticulous field dimensions, and includes incredible levels of detail such as Waugh Cushion Underframe, brake system, battery box, toilet pipe, rooftop vents, caboose window treatments accurate for the era of the caboose, plus beautiful see-through steps, end platforms, and running board. Inside the model is an accurately painted ICC-applied interior including the sink, toilet, oil heater, bunks, and desks. Our caboose includes interior lighting, plus marker light options that are appropriate for the RTR paint scheme offered. We offer “no fuss” track-powered exterior marker lights as appropriate for the prototype, and our cabooses are compatible with DC or DCC setups right out of the box (a simple wand included in the box activates the lights on each end – and the interior – independently). Finally, our ready-to-operate replica includes “near-scale” draft gear box including side “key” detail, coupler lift bars accompanying Kadee® scale couplers, sufficient hidden weights, and CNC-machined wheels to ensure the model operates as good as it looks.
These cabooses are shipping today! Features for these replicas include:
– Dimensional accuracy – designed from meticulous field dimensions with real tape measures
– 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
– “See through” Apex roof walkway
– “See through” etched metal end platforms and steps
– Unapologetically fine etch metal window screens
– Era-specific body details for each RTR scheme, including 2 different bay windows and 2 different scale-sized marker lights – both Pyle and “box” lights – they are really small!
– The scale-sized marker lights illuminate and can be controlled to be on or off – on each end – independently
– Full ICC Interior – chairs, bunks, desks, lockers, sink and (non-operating) toilet! The interior is accurately and fully-painted with the two-tone green
– The interior is illuminated with (dim!) lights and the scale size Pyle lanterns are lit as well.
– 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
– Full underbody details – brake system with brake rods and piping, battery box, electrical plugs and conduit, plumbing detail options, axle generator and more!
– Beautiful side details – wire grab irons, ladder rungs, roof hand holds, and coupler lift bars – no “molded in” plastic grab irons here!
– Separate air hoses with B&O signature platform-level angle cock shutoff handle detail!
– CNC-machined standard RP25 .110” tread 33” wheels (Yes, semi-scale .088” wheels are available separately!)
– All-New precision Tangent Scale Models 70-ton Gould roller-bearing trucks with separate brake beam part
– Recommended age 14 years and older
Don’t miss out on the Tangent Scale Models B&O I-18 Bay Window Caboose, our first release in the Tangent caboose line. Pricing for RTR models is $94.95, with quantity discounts for direct purchases from Tangent Scale Models.
That wraps up our update for today, and thank you for supporting the family-owned businesses in our industry!
David Lehlbach
Tangent Scale Models