Recently I got a chance to purchase several Red Caboose autoracks so that I could start building the two "ML" trains that would be operated on the layout. I had yet to see the Red Caboose cars in person, figuring that they were most likely similar to the Micro-Trains cars, however a friend suggested that he found the Red Caboose were superior in detail and ride height.

Setting the RC cars on the track next to a Micro-Trains Bi-Level the proper ride height was immediately noticeable via the TTX yellow of the flatcar base. While both cars have the proper body height, the Micro-Trains car rides 4/32nds higher than the Red Caboose car. The Red Caboose car give the proper ride height and the car looks better on the trucks, compared to the Micro-Trains car which appears to be on stilts and the trucks look out of place.

Like the Micro-Trains car the Red Caboose car has etched metal "stainless steel" panels on the sides. On the Red Caboose car the side panels and supports are all one part, where on the Micro-Trains cars the two are separate. The one piece side on the Red Caboose car produces lines and smooth transitions with the roof supports that are found on the prototype. The Red Caboose car uses a clear interior allowing you to see realistically through the car. This does cause an issue if you are modeling a loaded train however. I have not had a chance to break down my cars yet so I don't know if you could build racks inside and place some N scale cars and light trucks inside, or if the core of the car is a clear plastic tube.

Paint and printing on the cars was crisp and opaque with no runs. All lettering was clean and legible.

Recently Red Caboose has ended production of these cars, with Intermountain picking up the line. To date Intermountain has yet to produce any new runs of the cars so any quality changes have yet to be seen. The original Red Caboose cars can still fortunately be found at shops at decent discount.

Rating (out of 10): 10
Purchase?:
Price: $40.09 - $42.95 (Optional open doors)