Proper caboose for MTH L4A NYC MOHAWK

This one:

http://www.mthtrains.com/content/20-91282

There's a few similar versions that came in the Mohawk freight sets as well.

The short cupola design is an NYC woodside design.

Personally, I prefer the old Williams brass "copy" of the original Lionel scale NYC 19000 series caboose.

The absolute BEST NYC caboose model is, of course, the Mullet River wood kit.

+1 on Mullet River but its a very demanding build. My current favorite is Boilermaker's suggestion of the MTH 20-91282. Very nice superstructure with detailed interior. The trucks are wrong and still a bit too far from center but that can be overlooked. The Lionel 17000, 17600 has more correct trucks in the correct location and it also has truss rods which no other except Mullet River has deemed to include. The superstructure is pretty crude though with incorrect roof grabs and ladders.The MTH and Lionel Die Cast cabeese have a decent superstructure but the trucks are too far apart. That can be changed though. Neither have truss rods.

Pete

Here are some pics so you can better decide.

The prototype. Note the ladder, truck style and location, and truss rods.

Here is the MTH Premiere 20-91282:

Lionel "Semi Scale" die cast caboose from 1991.

MTH's Die Cast version of the Lionel Remake:

Williams Brass version of the Lionel remake. Note they all have the wrong truck location and lack truss rods. Williams did make one lettered for NYC as well as Santa Fe, B&O and likely a few more. All non prototypical except NYC.

The Mullet River caboose has been mentioned. While I don't have a complete kit I did order the brass underframe parts plus other details to detail the Williams caboose above. This will give you and idea whats involved with building the Mullet River kit.

Here is the plastic Lionel 17600 caboose:

Lastly the MTH Die Cast caboose was modified with Lionel trucks located in the correct location.

Pete

Norton, thank you very much.  I assume that the Brass Williams is not scale and not available.  Any leads on Brass?

Jim, The Williams brass one comes up for sale pretty often. Its scale size for sure but like most Williams Brass its not as detailed as say a typical two rail brass model. Thats why I plan to add that missing detail. All of the cabeese pictured are pretty close to the same size. None pictured have it all correct but some are closer than others.

The term "semi scale" refers to the fact that Lionel remade the pre war 2957 vs the "scale" 717. Same bodies but different trucks and couplers.

Pete

Picked up a Lionel 6907 caboose today.  Norton, thanks for the tips and pictures.  This one will suit our needs fine.  The lanterns actually glow from the lights inside.  The only thing I don't like is that is says BLT BY LIONEL on the side.  It is small and I will try to airbrush it out at a later date.