Barry Melek Electric Train Sets

Scale Caboose

Model Train Tracks - A Guide to Basic Track Layout

The minute you get a train set, the first thing that you will holler for is a track layout that is fun and will keep you occupied throughout the next major league baseball season. Why put together an oval train track that becomes boring as you follow the locomotive's progress as it chases its own caboose?  Buy yourself a variety of track pieces, make a locomotive paradise and not only make the experience fun for you, but might also dig out a possible creative streak in yourself.

However, don't bother with turnouts or switches just yet. It is best to stick to curves, straights and crossovers. Getting sets of varying radii will also ensure that you get the most out of your train model's scenery. Adding trestles can be fun too. However, if you are creatively challenged, you might want to buy some books on model railroading layouts.

If you do not want your miniature treasure to crash and burn, you might want to provide siding to the track. In real trains, siding is used as a means for a train to park itself for the brief moment it takes for another one to chug past it. This can be a fun way to show others how your favorite locomotive moves in the real world. Besides the continuous loop track, you can choose between point to point tracks, out and back or pear shaped tracks, and shunting stations.

Train stations along your trip through the layout will make the track look more realistic. The most common miniature stations used by aspiring conductors are terminal stations. You can also choose between junction and thorough stations.

You've got to have scenery for your engine to steam its way through raging waters and evergreen forests. Have your spectators enjoy the beauty of nature by constructing an engaging scenic background for your miniature marvels. The first thing you need to do is to spray the entire plywood track layout with a shade of green. The green parts will cover up any area that you did not manage to cover up with trees or buildings.

Create entire towns in the comfort of your home without having to get rid of those pesky natives by building an industrial area close to the tracks. If you are feeling adventurous and, always wanted to be the mayor of your own city, you can also add buildings for a business district, suburban homes or an industrial area.

You can also populate your town by adding some locals to observe your new locomotive. Be warned! Some citizens do not like you cramping their style and come pre-painted. But just because they don't possess "colorful" personalities, does not mean that you start taking liberties with the paint brush in an attempt to make them look like flower children!

About the Author

Model Train Hobbyist carries some books to get you started with the right layout for your train.  They also carry a variety of model train tracks, locomotives, and everything you need for scenery.

1br - All Aboard Caboose Inn, Serene, Secluded $100 We are confident you will enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of our full scale reproduction of an 1800s wooden caboose. The caboose is beautifully decorated with your comfort in mind and sleeps up to three between the quilted queen size bed and the cupola...

Bachmann Williams BAC18401 Bobber Caboose Union Pacific $28.93 This is the HO Scale Union Pacific Bobber Caboose by Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Up. Premium HO scale Silver Series Rolling Stock. Blackened metal wheels. Body mounted couplers. Nonmagnetic axles. Includes: One Union Pacific Bobber Caboose. Scale: HO 1/87.

S P Whistle Stop 16801 Northeast Steel Caboose Reading HO $36.45 This is the HO Scale Reading Northeast Steel Caboose from the Bachmann Silver Series. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. Blackened metal wheels. Body mounted couplers. Nonmagnetic axles. Includes: One Reading Northeast Steel Caboose.

Bachmann Williams BAC18449 Ho Bobber Caboose PaintedUnlettered $28.93 This HO Scale Bachmann Silver Series Rolling Stock Features an Unlettered Bobber Caboose. Compatible with any HO scale model railroad equipment. Fully assembled Silver Series car. Fine line moldings create an authentic appearance. Blackened machinedmetal wheels with RP25 contours. Body mounted couplers. Nonmagnetic blackenedbrass axles with needlepoint bearings. Added weight for optimum tracking. Celcon trucks. Detailed black underframe. Body color is red with a black roof and railings and red grabrails. Caboose is packed in a plastic tray and viewed through a windowed cardboard box. Includes: One HO Scale Bobber Caboose (Unlettered). Scale: HO 1:87. Length: 3 (7.6cm). Width: 11/4 (3cm). Height: 2 (4.9cm)

S P Whistle Stop 16851 Northeast Steel Caboose Reading N $30.38 This is the N Scale Reading Northeast Steel Caboose from Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Up. NMRA profile wheels. Needlepoint axles. Bodymounted EZ Mate Mark II couplers. Includes: One Reading Northeast Steel Caboose.

Bachmann Williams BAC93827 G 8 Wheel Caboose East Broad Top $103.09 Large Scale Caboose with Center Cupola Detailed Interior Metal Wheels and Operating Knuckle Couplers. Compatible with any G scale equipment. Detailed plastic body is molded to look like wood. Black roof roofwalk chimney ladders grab rails railings and brake wheel. Detailed interior may be seen through clear plastic windows on cupola and caboose body. All metal wheels. Operating couplers. Detailed chassis and underframe. INCLUDES: One G Scale Center Cupola Wood Caboose. REQUIRES: G Scale Model Train Equipment. Scale: G 1/22.5. Length: 147/8 (37.8cm). Width: 41/8 (10.5cm). Height: 71/4 (18.4cm).

Caboose $103.56 A caboose or brake van or guards van is a manned rail transport vehicle coupled at the end of a freight train. Although cabooses were once used on nearly every freight train, their use has declined and they are seldom seen on trains, except on locals and smaller railroads. Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 156 Publication Date: 2010/04/27 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.36 inches

Atlas Model ATM11313 Ho Trmn Cupola Caboose Cp Rail 437470 $21.92 Cupola Caboose Features,True scale dimensions with accurate details,Weighted, detailed underframes,,Equipped with AccuMate Knuckle Couplers,Trucks equipped with free-rolling metal wheels,Clear window inserts and separately applied side railings.

Atlas Model ATM11314 Ho Trmn Cupola Caboose Cp Rail 437477 $21.92 Cupola Caboose Features,True scale dimensions with accurate details,Weighted, detailed underframes,,Equipped with AccuMate Knuckle Couplers,Trucks equipped with free-rolling metal wheels,Clear window inserts and separately applied side railings.

S P Whistle Stop 93106 Bobber Caboose Denver Rio Grande $60.97 This is the Denver and Rio Grande Bobber and Logging Caboose (#49) from the Big Haulers Series by Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. Runs on standard Large Scale track. Metal wheels. Intricately scribed wood grain detail. Operating knuckle couplers. Set of loop style couplers are provided as an added accessory. Includes: One Denver and Rio Grande Bobber and Logging Caboose. Scale: G.

S P Whistle Stop 93130 Bobber Caboose East Broad Top $60.97 This is the East Broad Top Bobber and Logging Caboose (#27) from the Big Haulers Series by Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. Runs on standard Large Scale track. Metal wheels. Intricately scribed wood grain detail. Operating knuckle couplers. Set of loop style couplers are provided as an added accessory. Includes: One East Broad Top Bobber and Logging Caboose. Scale: G.

S P Whistle Stop 93120 Bobber Caboose ETWNC $60.97 This is the ET and WNC Bobber and Logging Caboose (#202) from the Big Haulers Series by Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. Runs on standard Large Scale track. Metal wheels. Intricately scribed wood grain detail. Operating knuckle couplers. Set of loop style couplers are provided as an added accessory. Includes: One ET and WNC Bobber and Logging Caboose. Scale: G.

Bachmann Williams BAC93870 G 8 Wheel Caboose Painted Unlettered $103.09 Large Scale Caboose with Center Cupola Detailed Interior Metal Wheels and Operating Knuckle Couplers. Compatible with any G scale equipment. Detailed oxide red plastic body is molded to look like wood. Black roof roofwalk chimney ladders grab rails railings and brake wheel. No numbers or road name. Detailed interior may be seen through clear plastic windows on cupola and caboose body. All metal wheels. Operating couplers. Detailed chassis and underframe. INCLUDES: One G Scale Center Cupola Wood Caboose (Unlettered). REQUIRES: G Scale Model Train Equipment. Scale: G 1/22.5. Length: 147/8 (37.8cm). Width: 41/8 (10.5cm). Height: 71/4 (18.4cm).

Bachmann Williams BAC18439 Ho Bobber Caboose Maryland and Pennsylvania $28.93 This HO Scale Bachmann Silver Series Rolling Stock Features a Maryland and Pennsylvania Bobber Caboose. Compatible with any HO scale model railroad equipment Fully assembled Silver Series car Blackened machinedmetal wheels with RP25 contours Body mounted couplers Nonmagnetic blackenedbrass axles with needlepoint bearings Added weight for optimum tracking Celcon trucks. Includes: One HO Scale Painted Maryland and Pennsylvania Bobber Caboose. Scale: HO 1:87. Length: 3 (76.2mm). Width: 1.25 (31.75mm). Height: 1.75 (44.45mm)

S P Whistle Stop 26796 Painted Unlettered Caboose Red $69.05 Caboose is painted caboose red. Separate passenger and baggage compartments. Equipped with low inverted arch bar trucks. Classic amber LED interior lighting. Cupola seats. Wood grain floor detailing. Pot belly stove and piping. Removable cupola and roof. Textured roof. RP25 wheel contours. EZ Mate Mark II couplers. Scale: HO 1/87. Length: 63/4 (171.45mm).

NFL Caboose: Train Accessory With All 32 Team Logos by Hawthorne Village $99.98 No NFL train set is truly complete without a caboose! Let your team pride lead the way and the rest will follow with this NFL caboose a football train accessory featuring all the teams of the NFL! Available exclusively from The Bradford Exchange Hawthorne Village Division this HO-scale caboose features the logos of AFC teams on one side and NFC teams on the other plus both Conference logos!Officially licensed by NFL Properties LLC meticulously detailed and masterfully crafted this Hawthorne first is just what you need to make your NFL Express a winner! Strong demand is expected and you won't find a finer value anywhere. Order now! Certificate of AuthenticityHO-scale

Bachmann Williams BAC17710 Ho 36 ft. Wide Caboose Reading $28.93 This Reading 36 Wide Vision Caboose (#94119) is a Premium HO Scale Model from the Bachmann Silver Series Suitable for Ages 8 and Older. Blackened machinedmetal wheels with RP25 contours. Magnetically operated body mounted EZ Mate couplers. Realistically detailed Barber caboose trucks molded in black Celcon material. Nonmagnetic blackenedbrass axles with needlepoint bearings. Exterior braces complete with rivet detail. Detailed brake wheels and smoke jack. Accurately molded plastic body shell prototypically painted green and yellow with crisp green and yellow print: Reading 94119 Added steel weight for optimum tracking. Includes: (1) Caboose. Scale: HO 1:87. Length: 43/4 (121mm). Width: 11/4 (32mm). Height: 21/8 (55mm)

S P Whistle Stop 16853 Northeast Steel Caboose Western Maryland N $30.38 This is the N Scale Western Maryland Northeast Steel Caboose from Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Up. NMRA profile wheels. Needlepoint axles. Bodymounted EZ Mate Mark II couplers. Includes: One Western Maryland Northeast Steel Caboose.

S P Whistle Stop 16852 Northeast Steel Caboose Lehigh Valley Red N $30.38 This is the N Scale Lehigh Valley Northeast Steel Caboose from Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Up. NMRA profile wheels. Needlepoint axles. Bodymounted EZ Mate Mark II couplers. Includes: One Lehigh Valley Northeast Steel Caboose.

S P Whistle Stop 16803 Northeast Steel Caboose Western Maryland HO $36.45 This is the HO Scale Western Maryland Northeast Steel Caboose from the Bachmann Silver Series. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. Blackened metal wheels. Body mounted couplers. Nonmagnetic axles. Includes: One Western Maryland Northeast Steel Caboose.

S P Whistle Stop 16806 Northeast Steel Caboose Painted Unlettered HO $36.45 This is the HO Scale Painted Red and Unlettered Northeast Steel Caboose from the Bachmann Silver Series. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. Blackened metal wheels. Body mounted couplers. Nonmagnetic axles. Includes: One Painted Red and Unlettered Northeast Steel Caboose.

S P Whistle Stop 16802 Northeast Steel Caboose Lehigh Valley HO $36.45 This is the HO Scale Lehigh Valley (Red) Northeast Steel Caboose from the Bachmann Silver Series. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. Blackened metal wheels. Body mounted couplers. Nonmagnetic axles. Includes: One Lehigh Valley (Red) Northeast Steel Caboose.

S P Whistle Stop 16804 Northeast Steel Caboose Maine Central HO $36.45 This is the HO Scale Maine Central Northeast Steel Caboose from the Bachmann Silver Series. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. Blackened metal wheels. Body mounted couplers. Nonmagnetic axles. Includes: One Maine Central Northeast Steel Caboose.

S P Whistle Stop 16805 Northeast Steel Caboose Norfolk and Western HO $36.45 This is the HO Scale Norfolk and Western (Red) Northeast Steel Caboose from the Bachmann Silver Series. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. Blackened metal wheels. Body mounted couplers. Nonmagnetic axles. Includes: One Norfolk and Western (Red) Northeast Steel Caboose.

S P Whistle Stop 16855 Northeast Steel Caboose Norfolk and Western N $30.38 This is the N Scale Norfolk and Western Northeast Steel Caboose from Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Up. NMRA profile wheels. Needlepoint axles. Bodymounted EZ Mate Mark II couplers. Includes: One Norfolk and Western Northeast Steel Caboose.

S P Whistle Stop 16856 Northeast Steel Caboose Painted Unlettered N $30.38 This is the N Scale Painted Red and Unlettered Northeast Steel Caboose from Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Up.

S P Whistle Stop 93870 EightWheel Caboose with Center Cupola Interior Painted Unlettered $107.05 This is a G Scale Center Cupola Wood Caboose (Unlettered) from the Big Haulers Series by Bachmann. Compatible with any G scale equipment. Detailed oxide red plastic body is molded to look like wood. Black roof roofwalk chimney ladders grab rails railings and brake wheel. No numbers or road name. Detailed interior may be seen through clear plastic windows on cupola and caboose body. All metal wheels. Operating couplers. Detailed chassis and underframe. Includes: One G Scale Center Cupola Wood Caboose (Unlettered). Scale: G (1/22.5). Length: 147/8 (37.8cm). Width: 41/8 (10.5cm). Height: 71/4 (18.4cm).

Bachmann Williams BAC18445 Ho Caboose Cass Scenic Railroad $28.93 This HO Scale Bachmann Silver Series Rolling Stock Features a Cass Scenic Railroad Bobber Caboose. Early cabooses that were built brand new rather than adapted from old box cars and the like were often small and rode only on four rigid mounted wheels unlike the more common setup of two sets of fourwheel truck assemblies. Most likely because of the ride quality delivered by this rigid wheelbase these types of cabooses were quickly nicknamed bobbers. They may not have been the most popular style of caboose used by railroads but they have probably become the most famous of the cabooses. The Silver Series(R) models feature blackened metal wheels body mounted couplers nonmagnetic axles and superb detail making them a natural fit on anyone s HO Scale layout. Includes: One HO Scale Bobber Caboose (Cass Scenic Railroad). Scale: HO 1:87. Length: 3 (7.6cm). Width: 11/4 (3cm). Height: 2 (4.9cm)

S P Whistle Stop 16854 Northeast Steel Caboose Maine Central N $30.38 This is the N Scale Maine Central Northeast Steel Caboose from Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and NMRA profile wheels. Needlepoint axles. Bodymounted EZ Mate Mark II couplers.

S P Whistle Stop 93148 Bobber Caboose Denver Rio Grande Western $60.97 This is the Denver and Rio Grande Western Bobber and Logging Caboose (#0506) from the Big Haulers Series by Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. Runs on standard Large Scale track. Metal wheels. Intricately scribed wood grain detail. Operating knuckle couplers. Set of loop style couplers are provided as an added accessory. Includes: One Denver and Rio Grande Western Bobber and Logging Caboose. Scale: G.

S P Whistle Stop 17728 36 ft. Wide Vision Caboose Erie Lackawanna HO $29.36 This is Bachmann s Premium HO Scale Silver Series Erie Lackawanna 36 Wide Vision Caboose. Fully assembled rolling stock. Blackened machinedmetal wheels with RP25 contours. Body mounted couplers. Nonmagnetic blackenedbrass axles with needlepoint bearings. Celcon Barber Caboose trucks. Detailed underframe. Featured roadname: Erie Lackawanna. Designated road number: C363 (painted yellow). The E logo is displayed on each side in yellow. Radio is also on each side in yellow. Paint scheme consists of four colors: maroon gray yellow black. Free rolling wheels. Added weight for optimum tracking. Your caboose is tightly fitted within a platic tray which slides into a windowed cardboard box for storage. Length: 43/4 (12cm). Width: 11/4 (3.5cm). Height: 2 (5.4cm). One HO Scale 36 Wide Vision Caboose (Erie Lackawanna).

S P Whistle Stop 17701 36 ft. Wide Vision Caboose UP $29.36 This is Bachmann s Premium HO Scale Silver Series Union Pacific 36 Wide Vision Caboose. Fully assembled rolling stock. Blackened machinedmetal wheels with RP25 contours. Body mounted couplers. Nonmagnetic blackenedbrass axles with needlepoint bearings. Celcon Barber Caboose trucks. Detailed underframe. Featured roadname: Union Pacific (painted red). Designated road number: UP 25743 (painted red). Paint scheme consists of two colors: yellow red. Free rolling wheels. Added weight for optimum tracking. Your caboose is tightly fitted within a platic tray which slides into a windowed cardboard box for storage. Length: 43/4 (12cm). Width: 11/4 (3.5cm). Height: 2 (5.4cm). One HO Scale 36 Wide Vision Caboose (Union Pacific).

S P Whistle Stop 17702 36 ft. Wide Vision Caboose Santa Fe No. 999628 HO $29.36 This is Bachmann s Premium HO Scale Silver Series Atchinson Topeka and Santa Fe 36 Wide Vision Caboose. Fully assembled rolling stock. Blackened machinedmetal wheels with RP25 contours. Body mounted couplers. Nonmagnetic blackenedbrass axles with needlepoint bearings. Celcon Barber Caboose trucks. Detailed underframe. Featured roadname: Santa Fe. Designated road number: ATSF 999628 (painted white). The Santa Fe logo is yellow on each side. Paint scheme consists of three colors: maroon yellow black. Free rolling wheels. Added weight for optimum tracking. Length: 43/4 (12cm). Width: 11/4 (3.5cm). Height: 2 (5.4cm). One HO Scale 36 Wide Vision Caboose (Santa Fe). Your caboose is tightly fitted within a platic tray which slides into a windowed cardboard box for storage.

S P Whistle Stop 17710 36 ft. WV Caboose RDG HO $29.36 This Reading 36 Wide Vision Caboose is a Premium HO Scale Model from the Bachmann Silver Series Suitable for Ages 8 and Older. Blackened machinedmetal wheels with RP25 contours. Magnetically operated body mounted EZ Mate couplers. Realistically detailed Barber caboose trucks molded in black Celcon material. Nonmagnetic blackenedbrass axles with needlepoint bearings. Exterior braces complete with rivet detail. Detailed brake wheels and smoke jack. Accurately molded plastic body shell prototypically painted green and yellow with crisp green and yellow print: Reading Added steel weight for optimum tracking. Length: 43/4 (121mm). Width: 11/4 (32mm). Height: 21/8 (55mm). Caboose.

Caboose of Modern Train $39.99 Caboose of Modern Train - Giclee Print

Bachmann BAC70778 N 36 ft. Wide Vision Caboose Erie Lackawanna $19.16 This is an N Scale 36' Wide Vision Caboose (Erie Lackawanna #C363) from Bachmann's Silver Series. Authentically scaled from railroad blueprints. Ready to run plastic bodied car. Compatible with any N scale train equipment. Molded-in panel lines, roof ribs and grab irons. Ladders, steps, brake wheels, end rails roof walk and smoke jack are molded to the body. Treaded endwalks. Dual axle trucks with realistically molded side frames. Metal wheels. Detailed undercarriage. Truck mounted couplers. Authentically painted: red with grey and yellow stripes, black roof, and road number C363 in yellow on each side. Packaged in a plastic tray within a clear plastic jewel box. Scale: N 1/160. Length: 2-5/8" (6.67cm). Width: 5/8" (1.59cm). Height: 1-1/4" (3.81cm).