PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO:
As more trains exceeded Plate C dimensions with taller and taller cars, the caboose cupola became ineffective for watching over a train. By borrowing another railroads caboose, Union Pacific found that bay-windows provided better train visibility, were safer, and more comfortable to ride in than a cupola. They placed an order for 100 cabooses with International Car Company for a new class of caboose being delivered in 1979. Large protected end porches, 70-ton National Swing Motion trucks, elevated toolboxes, oil-fired heat, and hydraulic coupler cushioning were some of the new features that made these crew favorites.
A single CA-12 prototype was created with comfort and safety improvements. However the order was cancelled as UP inherited recently-built Rock Island cabooses (CA-13). UP modified the CA-11 fleet with many of these features creating a sub-class of the CA-11. Additional unique modifications were made to these iconic cabooses as they were no longer needed for regular train service, several of which Athearn has created detailed version.
CA-11 CABOOSE FEATURES:
Better than brass detail including roadname and road number specific detail and laser-sharp painting and printing
Fully detailed interior including conductors desk, stove, sink, bath- room, radio stand, and more
Lighting functions in DCC with brightness control
Lit walkway lights; an Athearn Genesis ICC Caboose first
See-through end platforms and steps
Etched metal window screens on door and some side windows
Flush window glazing
Wire-form grab irons
Caboose trucks with rotating roller bearing caps
Axle generator details
Body-mounted McHenry scale knuckle-spring Couplers
Multiple road numbers
Separate wireform grab irons, etched metal coupler platforms
Coupler lift bars, trainline hoses, brake hoses, and hardware
Full underframe detail: air brake reservoir, control valve, and brake cylinder with plumbing and brake rod details
Machined metal wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
Weighted for trouble-free operation
Fully-assembled and ready-to-run out of the box
Accurately painted and printed for prototypical realism
Highly-detailed, injection-molded body
Window packaging for easy viewing, plus interior plastic blister safely holds the model for convenient storage
Minimum radius: 18
LED LIGHT-EQUIPPED FEATURES:
On-board DCC Decoder by NCE Operates in DCC and Analog (DC) with lighting functions controllable in DCC
Various classes will feature single or dual roof markers, or end-mount marker lights, per prototype and/or era (not all cars have marker lights)
LED lighting for long life and reliable operation
LED interior and marker lights with brightness control
All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode
