MTH Premier N6B woodside caboose modified with Pennsylvania lettering
I recently acquired a MTH 20-91224 N-6b Caboose w/Operating Signal Man. This O scale model first appeared in the 2006 Volume 2 catalog. This unique caboose includes an operating signal man who leans out the side of the rear caboose platform with a lighted lantern to signal the engineer. Activation occurs whenever the transformer whistle button is pressed.
The Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), “The Standard Railroad of the World”, constructed nearly 1,200 N6b class wooden cabooses (or “Cabin Cars” as they were called on the PRR) from 1914 to 1923. Surely one of the longest-serving and best-known styles of PRR cabooses, the N6b with it's high arched cupola roof, became a system-wide trademark for more than 50 years.
MTH chose to issue this caboose in the yellow paint scheme with B&O markings. I will remove the B&O lettering then repaint and replace with Pennsylvania lettering as shown in the prototype PRR caboose photo.
Throughout the 1930's the PRR continued to build new all-steel cabin cars. At the start of America's involvement in the Second World War at the end of 1941, 600 steel cabins were ready for mainline freight runs, resulting in the transfer of many N6a's and N6b's to local freight and work train service. Between 1940 and 1953, the wooden cabins assigned to work train service were painted battleship grey; in 1954 they were given a bright yellow work train scheme. At the same time, many N6b's were sent East, far from their original Lines West territory.
