my ESPEE MODELERS ARCHIVE

California's Railroad to the U.S. 1861 - 1996

Southern Pacific Caboose

Class C-40-5

bay window type

SP #1600-1699

100 units built

later rebuilds SP #4200-4299

44 units rebuilt

C-40-5's were built by Whitehead and Kales in 1963-64 SP #1600-1699. Differences between these and the C-40-4's was mainly a cylindrical underframe mounted fuel tank, a good shot of which appears on #1776 on the C-40-7 page, the opposite side has a battery box about the same size and shape as the C-40-4 fuel tank.

Starting in 1973 one caboose from each class C-40-4, C40-5, C-40-6, C-40-7 and C-50-3 was rebuilt and renumbered. Most changes were internal, chemical retention toilets (no more sewer chute), roofwalks and end ladders were deleted and electrical and radio equipment was upgraded. Starting in 1974 thru early 1975, forty four 16xx series were rebuilt becoming the 4200-4299 series class. As with the loco rebuilding programs, cabooses were given the next number out, so they were not renumbered sequentially with their old numbers.

from D. Scott Chatfield: To make a C-40-5 out of the Athearn C-40-4, the main items to change are:

• remove the square fuel tank on the right side (the box without the louver and hinges)
• add a tubular fuel tank under the right side bay window (it's about 20" wide by the length of the bay, and is held by three straps)
• move the air tank out closer to the side sill (actually, I'd replace both the tank and control valve with better parts)
• replace the side sill tabs at the bolsters with rectangular pieces the same length as the top of the existing tabs
• and add cushion draft gear.