Endless Caboose Variations

Found this link on your caboose. From what I can tell (and I'm no expert on this) it's likely what is shown as a Type "2" produced between 1953-55. Assuming you have the original box, the end flap may provide more information.

Completed sales on eBay; prices are running $5-15. Looks like you paid a fair price for it.

Thanks Gilly.   It's pretty close but the 6257 is not lighted.  I figure it's an earlier release because of the shoe-style pick up.

Nice club layout, BTW.  I belong to a club called the "Granite City O Gaugers" based in St. Cloud, MN.  We have a very similar style layout - I believe we're up to about 35-40 modules now and can build out to a 30'x35' total area.  It lives in a trailer most of the time since we don't have a permanent home.

What you have is the Type II body (Circled “L”), Red painted body, from 1953-1955.  The frame is actually a 6357 Type I, with Staple end trucks, (1948-1953 issue).  The later 6357 frames had Bar-end trucks.  The book value is $20, from Greenberg guide, by Paul V. Ambrose.  It’s not a 6257 variation, but a very nice lighted 6257, using the 6357 frame.

Thanks Teledoc. I really appreciate you clearing that up. I shall keep as a set-builder. 

That caboose isn't lighted. That sliding shoe is to operate the coil coupler on that truck. The open hole in the frame would contain the socket and bulb assembly and there would be a third rail roller on one truck if it were lighted.

Also, it is an early production, since these coil couplers were replaced with the magnetic couplers in 1951.

Of course, trucks and coupler plates are easy to switch out, so no guarantees that this is the original configuration of that caboose. 

Jim

Thanks Jim.  You're right.  I ran the caboose Saturday on a display layout at a local train show and I could have sworn it was lighted.  It'snot though.

Thanks for putting me straight,

All of the frames from 1948-1952 were the same. They were based on the 6457 frame but the 6257 and 6357 lacked the battery boxes and 6257 lacked the light.

They could all accomodate all of the features of the 6457 and can be today. Only the roof has to be drilled for the stack. The slots and holes are already in place for the rest of the features.

I did that to one of my 6257s and one of my 6357s many years ago when I got back into three rail just because I missed those features as a kid.

Pete