Loose Caboose

Loose Caboose would like to go anywhere that can be reached by railway. Little town or Big City....Loose Caboose wants to see them all!

CABOOSE HISTORY

The caboose served several functions, one of which was as an office for the conductor. A printed "waybill" followed every freight car from its origin to destination. The conductor kept the paperwork in the caboose.

The caboose also carried a brakeman and a flagman. In the days before automatic air brakes the engineer signaled the caboose with his whistle when he wanted to slow down or stop. The brakeman would then climb out and make his way forward, twisting the brakewheels atop the cars with a stout club. Another brakeman riding the engine would work his way toward the rear.Once the train was stopped, the flagman would descend from the caboose and walk back to a safe distance with lanterns, flags, and other warning devices to stop any approaching trains.

Once underway, the trainmen would sit up in the cupola and watch for smoke from overheated wheel journals (called hotboxes) or other signs of trouble.

It was common for railroads to assign a caboose to a conductor for his exclusive use. Conductors took great pride in their cars, despite the caboose's many derogatory nicknames, including "crummy," "doghouse," "bone-breaker," "snake wagon," and "hearse." The men decorated their car interiors with many homey touches, including curtains and family photos. Some of the most important additions were ingredients for cooking meals that became a part of American folklore. Augmented with such comforting features, the caboose served as a home away from the trainmen's home.

The caboose is now a thing of the past - a victim of modern technology. The "little red caboose" has been replaced by an EOT (end of train device), an electronic box which monitors the train from the last car. The railroads say that technology is safer - and cheaper - than cabooses and their crews. Old timers say that nothing can safely replace the eyes and ears of the dedicated men who rode the caboose.