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During 1943-44, the Nickel Plate Road re-built cabooses 1143-1199 using 10000 series and 18000 series 40-Ton capacity, steel-framed, wood-sheathed boxcars. The cabooses were used in road, transfer and head-end service all over NKP's 5-state system. Many were used as rider cars on the head-ends of NKP freights.

Howard W. Ameling Collection

They were remarkably durable, lasting through the end of steam, and into N&W service. The cars were originally painted caboose brown (or red, depending on who you read), but were repainted into the “High Speed Service” scheme beginning in 1954, and remained in that scheme through the merger. Some lasted long enough to be painted "N&W" after the 1964 merger.

The conversions were similar in appearance, but varied in details and were modified over time. The specific prototype for the models constructed by Ajin are the cabooses in the series 1343-1362 (with shorter, 25'6" wheelbases), and as the prototype appeared after 1954 (with coach style steps).

These cabooses are the subject of a thorough article in the NKPHTS Magazine by George Berghoff, which was reprinted in the "Cabooses of the Nickel Plate" (out of print).

Both black and white and color photographs of these cabooses also appear elsewhere in Nickel Plate books and articles.

[Editor's note: An exceptionally nice color photo of GP9 458 and caboose 1348 appears on the rear cover of "Reflections-The Nickel Plate Years: Clover Leaf District" available at the Nickel Plate Road Historical & Technical Society Web site.

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