$119.95
Burlington Northern (BN) “1981+ No Running Boards, No Windows” w/FRA Red Lights gives some great examples of 1980s railroading. Time marches forward, and cabooses were in a constant state of change. This Tangent group of cabooses is from BN’s final 50-car order built by ICC in Kenton, Ohio in 1972. However, “…the times they are a-changin’.” BN modernized these cabooses in 1981. What does this mean? For these specific numbers, the running boards have been removed and 4 grab irons have been installed on the roof near the wide vision cupola. Still present on the roof are the individual running board brackets. The side window glass has been removed and the openings plated over with steel. The axle generator has been changed to a Dayco belt-drive, visible on the outside of the truck. With the fresh green paint touch-up, this makes for a completely different look for the end of the train. Of course, to execute these changes accurately in 2023 HO Scale means yet another new body for this Tangent caboose system. The ends also feature an updated FRA lighting set up, as the red-green light has been replaced with a single steady-red FRA light. Fun fact: Did you know that BN FRA end red lights don’t flash? It’s these little details that are worth getting right. We have chosen four numbers to model the specific lettering, paint outs, COTS panels variations and more based on real photos. Yes, that means each of the four numbers is slightly different. We even used a slightly “darker” BN green to give a better starting canvas to mimic that weathered 1981 look. We have your back, 1980s BN modelers!
