The caboose has a unique place in the railroad world: It’s a symbol of the railroad industry, it’s been memorialized in countless Westerns and it’s been a fixture on toy store shelves for decades. But what few people realize is that cabooses were only installed on trains to ensure that all the cars were moving at the same speed, according to the Association of Train Car Builders.
In addition to the novelty of having a caboose up your train, model cabooses are also a fun way to add some variety to your layout. From small, detailed models to large, landscape-worthy structures, there’s a caboose for every model railroader.
Here are our picks for the best hobby train cabooses for your layout.
Our Editor’s Best Hobby Train Cabooses Reviews
- Remote control hobby train set with full feature controller using the latest 2.4GHz frequency to control speed and activate sound
- Oval track system with 24 curved and 4 straight plastic track pieces
- Fully decorated engine with a tender, gondola and caboose
- Working headlight and realistic sounds
- This train has water vapor smoke effect
- Rolling Stock for your N Scale layout
- NMRA profile wheels
- Needle-point axles
- E-Z Mate Mark II couplers
- N Scale 1:160
- Silver Series Rolling Stock – Fully Assembled
- Highly Detailed Painted Bodies with Precision Graphics
- Blackened Machined Metal Wheels with RP 25 Contours, Body Mounted E-Z Mate Mark II Couplers
- Non-magnetic Blackened Brass Axles with Needle-point Bearings, Celcon Trucks
- Added Weight for Optimum Tracking Performance, N Scale 1:160
- Blackened machined-metal wheels with RP25 contours
- Magnetically operated, body mounted E-Z Mate couplers
- Non-magnetic, blackened brass axles with needlepoint bearings
- Celcon trucks
- Added weight for optimum tracking
- Blackened machined-metal wheels with RP25 contours
- Magnetically operated, body mounted E-Z Mate couplers
- Non-magnetic, blackened brass axles with needlepoint bearings
- Celcon trucks
- Added weight for optimum tracking
- Silver Series Rolling Stock – Fully Assembled
- Highly Detailed Painted Bodies with Precision Graphics
- Blackened Machined Metal Wheels with RP 25 Contours, Body Mounted E-Z Mate Mark II Couplers
- Non-magnetic Blackened Brass Axles with Needle-point Bearings, Celcon Trucks
- Added Weight for Optimum Tracking Performance, N Scale 1:160
- Silver series rolling stock
- Blackened machined metal wheels with RP 25 Contours
- Non-magnetic blackened brass axles with needle-point bearings
- Added weight for optimum tracking and E-Z Mate Mark II couplers
- Ho scale 1: 87
- For use with your N Scale layout.
- Caboose Industries - Ground Throw .135" Sprung - N
- Fine Hardwood Material: This wooden train caboose is manufactured from 100% hardwood to withstand the test of time. Our wooden railway accessories ensure sturdiness, making them perfect for play and a lasting addition to your collection.
- Appealing Color Combo and Pattern: Red, black, and white – this trio of colors when put together doesn’t disappoint at all and makes it more attractive to the kids. The pattern drawn on this caboose makes it more engaging in the eyes of young ones.
- Compatible with All Major Brands: Our wooden caboose for toy trains connects seamlessly and works with major brand wooden railways. Our wooden train accessories work with Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway, Brio, and more.
- Inspires Creativity: With a caboose thrown into the picture of a wooden train set, it not only completes the train set but also inspires creativity in your child as he/she can now make scenarios relating to a caboose in their mind and act them out.
- Maxim Enterprise, Quality You Can Trust: Our goal is to build a safe, imaginative world for kids everywhere with our timeless wooden toys. Our traditional wooden toys for kids are crafted to encourage learning through play while caring for nature.
- Silver Series Rolling Stock – Fully Assembled
- Highly Detailed Painted Bodies with Precision Graphics
- Blackened Machined Metal Wheels with RP 25 Contours, Body Mounted E-Z Mate Mark II Couplers
- Non-magnetic Blackened Brass Axles with Needle-point Bearings, Celcon Trucks
- Added Weight for Optimum Tracking Performance, N Scale 1:160
Best Hobby Train Cabooses Buying Guide
Before choosing the best hobby train cabooses you should consider following options:
1. Acquiring a Caboose: You can buy a caboose from a train collector or a related business, such as a railroad-related gift shop.
Or you can find a caboose for sale on the Internet, such as on eBay or at a railroad memorabilia shop.
Suppose you find a caboose for sale. How do you know whether it’s in good condition?
Look for an inspection report from a railroad or train-related business. For example, a train-related museum may provide an inspection report on a caboose it’s considering purchasing.
If a caboose doesn’t have an inspection report, ask the owner for one.
2. Inspecting a Caboose Yourself: If you buy a caboose without an inspection report, you may want to hire a structural engineer to inspect the car and make recommendations.
An engineer will look at the floor, walls, and ceiling of the car and make a determination about their condition. He or she will also look at the mechanical systems, such as the electrical system, heating, and air-conditioning.
The engineer will make recommendations about what repairs are needed and how much money to budget for repairs.
3. Getting a Safety Certificate: If you plan to travel with your caboose, you’ll need a safety inspection and certification for it.
The Federal Railroad Administration requires you to get this certification, even if you plan to keep the caboose at your own property.
The FRA has inspection and certification requirements for cabooses. Contact the Federal Railroad Administration for details about these requirements.
4. Modifying the Caboose for Trespassers: If you plan to have the public use your caboose, you may want to make some changes to meet local requirements.
For example, you may need to put in rails along the floor of the car so people won’t fall off the sides. You may also want to put in steps or a ladder so they can get in and out of the train car.
You may also want to make changes so people can get out of the train in an emergency.
You may want to put in an emergency door and even a small fan and lights so you can use the car at night.
5. Getting a Properly Licensed: Even if you don’t plan to take your caboose on a train and have the public use it, you still may need to get a license.
You may need a license from the Interstate Commerce Commission, a now-defunct federal agency that regulated railroads.
You may also need a license from the Department of Transportation or the Federal Railroad Administration. Check with these agencies to find out what license you need.
You may have to get an engineer to inspect and certify the caboose for safety, as well as get a license for the train car.
What else you should know about hobby train cabooses
1. What is a hobby train caboose?
A caboose is a type of railway car that is typically used as a trailing unit in a freight train. Cabooses provide shelter for the train’s crew at the end of the train, and they also serve as a mobile office, where the conductor can keep track of train orders and perform other paperwork. Cabooses were once common on American railroads, but they have largely been replaced by modern electronic systems.
2. What are the dimensions of a hobby train caboose?
There is no standard size for a hobby train caboose, as they are often built to scale. However, a typical caboose is about 10 feet long and 3 feet wide.
3. How much does a hobby train caboose weigh?
I am not sure how much a hobby train caboose weighs.
4. What is the capacity of a hobby train caboose?
There is no definitive answer as the capacity of a hobby train caboose can vary depending on the specific model and make. However, most cabooses can accommodate up to four people comfortably.
5. How do I order a hobby train caboose?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to order a hobby train caboose may vary depending on the specific model and make of caboose that you are interested in. However, some tips on how to order a hobby train caboose may include contacting a local hobby store or searching for a caboose model online.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best hobby train cabooses. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best hobby train cabooses will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.