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
SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE:
Air horn or trainline air whistle as appropriate
Clickety-clack with optional wheel flat spot sounds
Brake set/release sounds including retainers and brake squeal
Big Hole emergency brake application sound
Handbrake tie-down/release
Adjustable flange squeal
Air horn, and bell sounds work seamlessly with Soundtraxx locomotive sound decoders
Supports advanced consisting in DCC
Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode
All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode
