Center-cupola Cabooses for Reading (RDG)

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert (click for web site)

Manufacturer ID:

630

Prototype Info

Style:

center-cupola

Body:

steel

Road Name:

Reading (RDG)

Model Info

Gauge:

Introduced:

1946

Road Number(s):

630

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

Lighted:

yes!

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, Jul 2003 (prototype history plus model history; scale drawings)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2013 (history of the models)

Notes:

The #630 was produced from 1946 until 1953 in 26 variations. Many of the variations have to do with the style of lettering and window coverings. There are, however, four major variation groupings. The first variation grouping has seven variations, which were produced in 1946. They carried the "READING" name, and the the frame was either red or black plastic. Due to material shortages, early 1946 cabooses that were part of lower priced sets, came without a light and had silver lettering. Later in 1946, both the red and black frame models had lights and silver lettering and finally the lettering was changed from silver to white. The second major variation grouping has nine variations with the "READING" name. These were produced in 1947, 1948, and 1950. All of these cabooses have a diecast metal frame to eliminate the wrapping that occurred with all of the 1946 plastic frame cabooses. The front row of Photo #3 shows examples of those models. In 1949, Gilbert created the third major variation again based upon the frame type. In 1949, 1951, and 1952 the "READING" cabooses all had sheet metal frames to reduce cost and weight of the cabooses. This grouping has three variations. Two of the variations within the group have red plastic bodies, while the third has a red painted body. The last major grouping produced in 1952 and 1953 has seven variations. In that grouping, all of the frames are sheet metal and none of the cabooses carried the "READING" name. In 1952 the one variation carried the "AMERICAN FLYER" name while in 1953 the six variations all carried the "AMERICAN FLYER LINES" name, as can be seen in the fourth photo.

Shown here are six of the seven variations. In the front row the cabooses are, unlighted silver lettering, lighted silver lettering, and lighted white lettering. In the back the cabooses are unlighted silver, lighted silver, and lighted white lettering.