Caboose Spotting

[Anonymous]

Here in Columbus, GA, NS had spotted a red bay window caboose that had no markings except for a car number beginning with "X". This car would disappear when the railroad ran a "way freight" up the spur to a plywood/ pressed wood products mill north of town, and reappear when the train reappeared in town. My guess was that NS didn't want to switch out crews by van or leave the train unattended while it was being unloaded or loaded.

Other than maintenance of way trains, or using cabooses for backing purposes, has anyone else seen a train lately with an operating caboose on a Class I road? Or has FRED replaced them all in the US?

Erik

[Dough]

Hey Erik, did you see my post yesterday about the CSX caboose in Athens?

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13362

I have heard rumors about several more closer to Atlanta. However, all of these are used for backing locals down the tracks. I have only seen one caboose in regular service. It was headed North up towards Gainesville, GA on the NS. It was red and said Southern. I didn't have a camera, and only got a quick glimpse.

Other than the exceptions that you mentioned, I believe that the caboose is gone...

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

As I've mentioned elsewhere, Iowa Interstate's trains into Chicago have cabooses because of a long back-up move into IHB's Blue Island yard.

[tree68]

In the case of the Iowa Interstate trains, and others who need them for backup moves - do they occupy the caboose for the "forward" part of the trip, or hang a FRED and ride the loco?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CSSHEGEWISCH

As I've mentioned elsewhere, Iowa Interstate's trains into Chicago have cabooses because of a long back-up move into IHB's Blue Island yard.

Do both mainline trains (CBBI & BICB) use a caboose? Is it only on the train while in Chicago? Or does it pick it up in Rock Island or somewhere?

[Anonymous]

Dough- I did see it which is what started off the thread... thanks! Erik

[wcfan4ever]

CN uses many cabooses in Wisconsin. They are mostly ex-GBW and ex-MILW ones. Manitowoc has ex-GBW 114 and Appleton has an ex-GBW as well as Oshkosh rates a caboose and I know there are a few others. Most of them are used for backup moves. Manitowoc uses thiers for a backup move of about 5 miles to Rockwood, WI. Its neat to still see them still being used today.