Red Caboose - RN-15204-6 - Covered Hopper, 3-Bay, FMC 4700 - Cook Industries - 44290

Model Information: Precision Master first released this body style in kit form. Later on, they released the same body as a RTR (Ready-to-Run) model. In 2005, Red Caboose acquired this tooling from PM. Red Caboose released this model in RTR form. In 2015, Fox Valley acquired all the N Scale toolings from Red Caboose and is re-releasing these models in RTR (Ready-to-Run) versions with metal wheels and body-mount couplers, which improves this model from a 2nd generation to a 3rd genration piece of rolling stock.

Prototype History: FMC Corp. built some 6,825 4,700-cubic-foot cars between 1971 and 1981. At first glance, these look like Pullman-Standard PS2-CD cars, but they can be distinguished by their tall sides, that extend down lower than the PS "high rise" design, and the horizontal groove that runs down the center of the side. They have 17 panel sides, separated by 16 vertical posts/ribs. FMC also made a 4,692-cubic-foot car that looks like the 4,700-cubic-foot car, but has a 5/4/5 side brace pattern.

Brand/Importer Information: Originally Red Caboose was a manufacturer of HO and N Scale model railroading items. It was located in Mead, Colorado, and was founded in 1990 by Leon Fairbanks. Red Caboose manufactured highly accurate, well detailed N, HO, and O Scale freight cars and locomotives.

Red Caboose closed its doors in January of 2015. Red Caboose N Scale has been sold to Fox Valley Models and HO was sold to InterMountain Railway. Many of the Red Caboose toolings have seen re-releases from Fox Valley since the acquisition. We just wish they would clean up the underframes. Red Caboose always went light on the details where they thought people wouldn't look.

Manufacturer Information: While they were in business, Red Caboose split its production runs between the US and China. Which models were produced where was a function of which body style and which run. Furthermore, which Chinese company was used for production is something we would love to find out.