I have been following this caboose project since we saw the pilot model at the show in Timonium MD over a year ago. It looks like it will set the standard for cabooses in 1:20.3 for many years.

My question to the Bachmann is about the RGS version. Is this going to be an accurate a model of the RGS 0404 long caboose?? I don't remember seeing a pilot model for this version. I hope it is not going to be the same D&RGW caboose with a different cupola.

Looking forward to your reply and hope you can fill us in on the particulars and that a picture of a pilot model will appear soon.

Thanks and keep up the good work.

Roger Cutter
RGS East in 1:20.3

Just unboxed my 455 post wreck and it is a honey. Packing was excellent and there was no damage.

I went to Silver San Juan and RGS Story for pictures of the engine and the plumbing appears to be quite accurate. The cab is well done and has better rivet detail than I have seen on other models of 455.

The tender even has the patch on the engineers side. Don't quite know where they came up with foot boards on the rear, but those are easily removed.

One the the best upgrades they did to the engine is a "coaster" drive, so you don't have to slide it down the track when power is not available. Wheels turn fairly easily and should take the shock out of sudden stops.

The plow comes installed and there is a spark arrestor included in the box.

I will take it outside tomorrow and do a test run and see how it smooth it is. When I had the pilot model here for the filming of the video, it was a ran very well, with excellent low speed. It also had enough power to pull 15 cars up a 3.5% grade and that was without the boiler weight.

Congrats to the engineering folks at Bachmann for the design and workmanship on the engine. This will satisfy the most ardent DRGw/RGS folks and should make Bachmann some new customers.

For the "rivet" counters, there are some errors, but without the real engine to look at, that is to be expected. Those few errors can be corrected and that is the fun of an engine like this, it is plastic, it is under 1k and you can have a ball bringing it up to your specifications.

Will get some pics posted tomorrow.

Roger Cutter
RGS East in 1:20.3