D&RGW Long Caboose

Blackstone Models Long Cabooses are shipping NOW!
Due to popular demand, the D&RGW “round roof” Long Caboose will be available in HOn3 in all five D&RGW road numbers. We proudly offer each road number in your choice of the 1930s era “Button” Herald, as well as the familiar 1940s-1970s Flying Grande Herald. In addition, we are releasing a painted, unlettered version for you to adapt this handsome narrow gauge car to your favorite HOn3 railroad! All of our decoration and livery styles have been thoughtfully researched to bring you a model that is remarkably true to the prototype.

Surprise Caboose!
We have now opened up ordering for the Durango & Silverton version of the Class 5 Long Caboose.  In the past, this has only been available through the D&S gift shop and website.

In 1981, the well-known Silverton branch of the Rio Grande  was sold to Charles E. Bradshaw.  Under the new ownership, the branch line became the now-famous Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.  Included in the purchase of this 45 miles of scenic track were numerous locomotives and many operable pieces of rolling stock, most of which were put into service with new heralds and paint schemes to reflect the new company.  In the years following the purchase, two Class Five long cabooses, the 0540 and the 0505 were returned to service for use on the work trains and photographer specials.

This version of the 0540 caboose represents the car as it appears today, freshly shopped with its own unique paint shade and colorful D&SNG ‘Animas Canyon Route’ herald designed after the railroad’s current owner, American Heritage Railways took over in the late 90s. This special crummy makes a terrific stocking stuffer!  They are in stock and available for shipping in plenty of time for the holidays.




Design Update for the D&RGW Long Caboose
Our engineering team has some exciting new details about our Long Cabooses:

  • Each Caboose will have electrical pickup wipers on both trucks and the wheels are insulated, making it feasible for you to modify the caboose with interior or marker lamp lighting if you have the expertise to do so.
  • Ladder Safety Extensions are provided as an option for you to add if desired.
  • Cabooses come with different ladder designs (4 rung, 5 rung, and special 0505 narrow ladder) depending on the correct prototype practice for each road number
  • Two “subtly” different paint shades are used to reflect the prototype variances.
  • Marker Lamps will be supplied separately for you to add on as desired.
  • Window awnings will also be provided separately for you to add - since a couple of road numbers did not always have the side shades, this allows you to customize your crummy to the era you are modeling.
  • Caboose handrails and hardware are painted in either white, silver, or black - whichever is correct for the road number and era.
  • The number 0503 has special prototypical features which include:
    1. Unique end windows on its cupola
    2. Angled foot step design
    3. The caboose chassis is reversed to make the “A” end where the “B” end is on other cabooses. The retainer line location has also been appropriately reversed.
    4. Siding boards in ABS (painted and molded to fit) will be included for customers who wish to board up the “A” end side window as was seen on the car in later years.

A Little History

Between 1912 and 1923, the D&RG(W) Railroad rebuilt five 1880s style short cabooses in order to help maintain a small fleet of durable and up to date “crummies”. Eventually consisting of road numbers 0503, 0505, 0517, 0540, and 0574, these “rebuilds” were more or less new cars that utilized the hardware of the old cabooses. These cabooses are referred to as “Class 5” by Dr. Robert Sloan in his book “A Century Plus Ten of D&RGW Narrow Gauge Freight Cars 1871 to 1981”. Favored by railroad crews, the car bodies were 25 foot in length and sported wider platforms than their sister long cabooses that were in use at that time. Featuring the more traditional “round” roof style, these cabooses were seen all over the D&RGW narrow gauge system up to the end of operations. Interestingly, the 0540 was the very last caboose to be used by the D&RGW narrow gauge working out of Durango, Colorado in 1980. Today, all five cabooses of this class remain and three are currently operable. The Durango and Silverton Railroad operates the 0505 and 0540, while the Friends of the C&TS are currently rebuilding the 0503 for continued use on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. The 0574 is nicely restored and survives at the Colorado Railroad Museum, while 0517 sits on display with other narrow gauge railroad equipment in Fairplay, Colorado.

Five Road Numbers, Eleven Versions

Blackstone Models is releasing different versions of each road number to ensure you have the caboose that will fit your favorite era. Please note that while we will produce quantities somewhat over the advance reservations, we have found that certain road numbers move quickly. Placing your order before the May 15th Advance Reservation deadline guarantees you will get your favorite version!


Pre-Production Photo of the 0503 Long Caboose, due Summer 2009

Version Matrix

D&RGW Long Caboose in HOn3!
Road No. P.N. Herald and Paint Description Price
0503 B340950 Flying Grande, Freshly Shopped Paint $79.95
0503 B340950W Flying Grande, Freshly Shopped Paint, Weathered SOLD OUT $83.95
0503 B340951 Moffat Tunnel, Slightly Sun Faded Paint $79.95
0503 B340951W Moffat Tunnel, Slightly Sun Faded Paint, Weathered SOLD OUT $83.95
0505 B340952 Flying Grande, Freshly Shopped Paint $79.95
0505 B340952W Flying Grande, Freshly Shopped Paint, Weathered SOLD OUT $83.95
0505 B340953 1930s Livere(No Herald), Slightly Sun Faded Paint $79.95
0505 B340953W 1930s Livere(No Herald), Slightly Sun Faded Paint, Weathered SOLD OUT $83.95
0517 B340954 Flying Grande, Slightly Sun Faded Paint
SOLD OUT		 $79.95
0517 B340954W Flying Grande, Slightly Sun Faded Paint, Weathered SOLD OUT $83.95
0517 B340955 Moffat Tunnel, Freshly Shopped Paint $79.95
0517 B340955W Moffat Tunnel, Freshly Shopped Paint, Weathered SOLD OUT $83.95
0540 B340956 Flying Grande, Freshly Shopped Paint $79.95
0540 B340956W Flying Grande, Freshly Shopped Paint, Weathered SOLD OUT $83.95
0540 B340957 Royal Gorge Route, Freshly Shopped Paint $79.95
0540 B340957W Royal Gorge Route, Freshly Shopped Paint, Weathered SOLD OUT $83.95
0574 B340958 Flying Grande, Slightly Sun Faded Paint $79.95
0574 B340958W Flying Grande, Slightly Sun Faded Paint, Weathered SOLD OUT $83.95
0574 B340959 Moffat Tunnel, Freshly Shopped Paint $79.95
0574 B340959W Moffat Tunnel, Freshly Shopped Paint, Weathered SOLD OUT $83.95
Painted, Unlettered B340960 Freshly Shopped Paint $79.95

Instructions for Installing Caboose Detail Parts