* Authentic Pennsylvania Prototype * Perfect for Steam- and Diesel-Era Layouts * Sloped-Side Cupola * Correct Trucks

Walthers Platinum Line: All the Detail with Less Work * All Grab Irons Installed * All Detail Parts Added * Metal Wheelsets * McHenry(R) Knuckle Couplers * Superb Paint & Lettering

In the late 1800s, the Pennsylvania began replacing its conductor's cars converted from small box cars with purpose-built cabooses. Two standard designs for four-wheel, all-wood Conductor's & Trainman's cabins were adopted; class F-narrow (later Na) had cupolas with sloped sides for extra clearance in eastern states, while class F-wide (later Nb) cars had conventional cupolas for use on lines west of Pittsburgh. In 1914, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio passed laws mandating larger and safer cabooses. Although the Pennsylvania was building all-steel cars by this time, the decision was made to modernize the existing N-series. Rebuilding began with a new and longer steel underframe, and the cars rode on two standard trucks. But the new wooden body was actually constructed by combining parts from two original cars. Both styles of cupolas were also reused, creating class N6a with the wide style and N6b with the narrow type. Between 1914 and 1923, some 1100 cars were rebuilt in both classes. They remained in service through the late 50s, with a few surviving as maintenance equipment into the 60s, but were all gone by the Penn Central merger in 1968. A handful escaped scrapping, and are in various museum and private collections today.