I am applying number decals on my LLL wooden cabooses. In order not to sequence backwards, which were manufactured first- the three window or four window cabooses?
Not seeing the rest of the caboose, it would be impossible to tell. The number of windows on the side of a caboose was the product of the design specifications of individual railroads' chief mechanical officers and not the date built. Do you have specific N scale models in mind? Cupola shape, signal lanterns vs. marker lights, and truck style can be indicators of era built.
I do have the particular models in mind and will be able to give details tonight when I return to the haven of the basement from the rigors of life in the Big Apple.
Depends what railroad you are modeling. In the case of the CB&Q, they had both 4 window and 3 window (on each side) waycars but they were not numbered by date of construction, at least after the turn of the century when they went to 5 digit numbers. The three window cars were older than many of the four window cars, but there were some four window cars that were older than the three window jobs. It is likely that the practice varied with each railroad. What cars are you lettering? I'm not familiar with the any cars that come in both 3 and 4 window versions, unless you're talking about Roundhouse/Athearn and MicroTrains cars. In that case the MT cars are of a newer design and if you want you can number them in a higher series if you want to do it chronologically. Charlie Vlk
Charlie- I will be numbering them for the Lessons Learned Line and have a great deal of flexibility with the management. The Athearns are the 3 window 11500 model. The MT's are the 4 window 50000 model.
The Athearns represent a wood bodied, wood underframe with truss rods caboose, while the Micro-Trains represent a wood bodied steel underframe caboose, about 15 to 30 years newer. So, if you want to number them by age, start with the Athearns. :cat:
