Athearn Ready To Roll MEC Wide-Vision Freight Car 651
Model Information
The size ratio of the model relative to the real-world prototype (e.g., HO, N, O).
HO
The marketing brand under which the item is sold (e.g., Athearn, Walthers).
Athearn
A specific product line within the brand (e.g., Genesis, Mainline).
Ready To Roll
The general category of the item (e.g., Locomotive, Rolling Stock).
Freight Car
A more specific classification (e.g., Diesel-Electric, Boxcar).
Caboose
A detailed description of the specific car or locomotive type (e.g., GP38-2, Plug Door Insulated Steel).
Wide-Vision
The actual entity that manufactured the model, if different from the brand.
Athearn
The stock keeping unit (SKU) or catalog number assigned by the manufacturer.
ATH-2443
The name of the railroad or owner.
Maine Central (MEC)
The specific number assigned to this individual car or locomotive.
651
The alphabetic code identifying the owner (e.g., UP, BNSF).
MEC
Curated list of common equipment details like DCC, Sound, Powered status, etc.
Additional attributes or equipment details not covered by standard features.
Prototype Details
The builder of the real-world equipment (e.g., EMD, GE, ACF).
ALCO
The build date, if printed on the model.
-
The rebuild date, if printed on the model.
-
The reweigh date, if printed on the model.
-
The earliest time period appropriate for this item.
Contemporary (2005 - Present)
Deregulation (1980 - 1995)
Second Generation Diesel (1960 - 1980)
Transition (1940 - 1960)
The specific decades during which this item would be prototypical in revenue service.
2020s
2010s
1980s
1970s
The approximate length of the car in feet.
-
Specific measurements of the model or prototype. Format: [Type] [Value] (e.g. IL 40'6").
Allowed types:
• IL (Inside Length)
• IW (Inside Width)
• IH (Inside Height)
• OL (Outside Length)
• OW (Outside Width)
• OH (Outside Height)
• EH (Eaves Height)
• EW (Eaves Width)
• EXH (Extreme Height)
• EXW (Extreme Width)
-
Volume or weight capacity markings as labeled on the model or prototype. Format: [Type] [Value] (e.g. CUFT 3000).
Allowed types:
• CUFT (Cubic Feet)
• CAPY (Nominal Capacity)
• LDLMT (Load Limit)
• LTWT (Light Weight)
• GRL (Gross Rail Load)
• MAX WGT (Max Cargo Weight)
• GAL (Gallons)
• US GAL (US Gallons)
• IMP GAL (Imperial Gallons)
• LITERS (Liters)
• KG (Kilograms)
• SHELL (Shell Capacity)
• DOME (Dome Capacity)
• WATER CAPY (Water Capacity)
• ICE CAPY (Ice Bunker Capacity)
• BKR CAPY (Bunker Capacity)
• LEVEL (Level Full Capacity)
-
Availability
The date the model was announced by the manufacturer.
-
The estimated arrival date for the model provided by the manufacturer at the time of announcement.
March 2026
The actual date the model became available at retailers.
-
The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price at the time of announcement.
-
Model Information
The size ratio of the model relative to the real-world prototype (e.g., HO, N, O).
HO
The marketing brand under which the item is sold (e.g., Athearn, Walthers).
Athearn
A specific product line within the brand (e.g., Genesis, Mainline).
Ready To Roll
The general category of the item (e.g., Locomotive, Rolling Stock).
Freight Car
A more specific classification (e.g., Diesel-Electric, Boxcar).
Caboose
A detailed description of the specific car or locomotive type (e.g., GP38-2, Plug Door Insulated Steel).
Wide-Vision
The actual entity that manufactured the model, if different from the brand.
Athearn
The stock keeping unit (SKU) or catalog number assigned by the manufacturer.
ATH-2443
The name of the railroad or owner.
Maine Central (MEC)
The specific number assigned to this individual car or locomotive.
651
The alphabetic code identifying the owner (e.g., UP, BNSF).
MEC
Curated list of common equipment details like DCC, Sound, Powered status, etc.
Additional attributes or equipment details not covered by standard features.
Model Information
The size ratio of the model relative to the real-world prototype (e.g., HO, N, O).
HO
The marketing brand under which the item is sold (e.g., Athearn, Walthers).
Athearn
A specific product line within the brand (e.g., Genesis, Mainline).
Ready To Roll
The general category of the item (e.g., Locomotive, Rolling Stock).
Freight Car
A more specific classification (e.g., Diesel-Electric, Boxcar).
Caboose
A detailed description of the specific car or locomotive type (e.g., GP38-2, Plug Door Insulated Steel).
Wide-Vision
The actual entity that manufactured the model, if different from the brand.
Athearn
The stock keeping unit (SKU) or catalog number assigned by the manufacturer.
ATH-2443
The name of the railroad or owner.
Maine Central (MEC)
The specific number assigned to this individual car or locomotive.
651
The alphabetic code identifying the owner (e.g., UP, BNSF).
MEC
Curated list of common equipment details like DCC, Sound, Powered status, etc.
Additional attributes or equipment details not covered by standard features.
The official description provided by the manufacturer.
Perhaps one of the most recognizable icons of American railroading, the caboose completed the train. Cabooses provide shelter for crew at the end of a train, who were long required for switching and shunting, and to keep a lookout for load shifting, damage to equipment and cargo, and overheating axles. In the extended-vision or wide-vision caboose, the sides of the cupola project beyond the side of the car body. Rock Island created some of these by rebuilding some standard cupola cabooses with windowed extensions applied to the sides of the cupola itself, but by far, the greatest number have the entire cupola compartment enlarged. This model was introduced by the International Car Company and saw service on most U.S. railroads. The expanded cupola allowed the crew to see past the top of the taller cars that began to appear after World War II, and also increased the roominess of the cupola area.
Additional community-contributed notes or observations.
Initial Source: 10_ATHHO_WV_Caboose_092724.pdf