Whatever happened to the 'ol caboose?

[Anonymous]

Not sure of the dates when the cabooose disappeared, however, they are a hold over from the days when rear end crews were required. Signaling has eliminated the need for the rear flagger. Air brakes did away with the rear (and front) brakeman. Wayside detectors, which are about 10 miles apart look out for hot wheels and do an axle count and verbally reports to the engineer so a groken train is detected. Short of switching operations, where rear end crews are needed the caboose is history. I do not think there are any full crew laws remaining in any states which would require the caboose.

[Anonymous]

Not sure of the dates when the cabooose disappeared, however, they are a hold over from the days when rear end crews were required. Signaling has eliminated the need for the rear flagger. Air brakes did away with the rear (and front) brakeman. Wayside detectors, which are about 10 miles apart look out for hot wheels and do an axle count and verbally reports to the engineer so a groken train is detected. Short of switching operations, where rear end crews are needed the caboose is history. I do not think there are any full crew laws remaining in any states which would require the caboose.

[chemung]

Willy2,your post of 7/22 re:caboose at Amtrak in Omaha.On the BNSF and GT transfer runs form Council Bluffsthey come over the Missouri River bridge engine first.They then have to make a backward move to BNSF Gibson yard under the South Omaha Bridge.It is about 3 miles,so they need a caboose and a human eye to see what is going on.The reverse is ture when going back to CB, that is caboose backwards ,then engine first over the bridge.Note the GT unit,flatcar marked IC with a shed on it.BNSF uses regular caboose with windows blanked out,only end doors and copula have windows.May see you there sometime,drive White Dodge caravan with handicaped plates.

[chemung]

Willy2,your post of 7/22 re:caboose at Amtrak in Omaha.On the BNSF and GT transfer runs form Council Bluffsthey come over the Missouri River bridge engine first.They then have to make a backward move to BNSF Gibson yard under the South Omaha Bridge.It is about 3 miles,so they need a caboose and a human eye to see what is going on.The reverse is ture when going back to CB, that is caboose backwards ,then engine first over the bridge.Note the GT unit,flatcar marked IC with a shed on it.BNSF uses regular caboose with windows blanked out,only end doors and copula have windows.May see you there sometime,drive White Dodge caravan with handicaped plates.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE:

cabooses are still around. I saw a string of 20 go by on the end of a train acabooses are still around. I saw a string of 20 go by on the end of a train and than a few days ago I stopped at a crossing (just for the heck of it, I usually try to beat the train lost only once) and the train was lead with 10 engines. The train was short so I think they were just in transit dead.


They probably were heading off to be sold. Check the CP Rail website under "Suppliers" for used equipment for sale including cabooses.

LC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE:

cabooses are still around. I saw a string of 20 go by on the end of a train acabooses are still around. I saw a string of 20 go by on the end of a train and than a few days ago I stopped at a crossing (just for the heck of it, I usually try to beat the train lost only once) and the train was lead with 10 engines. The train was short so I think they were just in transit dead.


They probably were heading off to be sold. Check the CP Rail website under "Suppliers" for used equipment for sale including cabooses.

LC

[JoeKoh]

LC
don't ever race a train! I want you to be on this forum to chat with!
stay safe
joe

[JoeKoh]

LC
don't ever race a train! I want you to be on this forum to chat with!
stay safe
joe

[Anonymous]

Here in Saskatchewan CN stopped using cabooses before CP. My parents have told me that when I was about 3 we were in the car and I saw a CN train without a caboose and got upset and cried. They had to say they were going to pick up the caboose which was on a siding behind some trees. Thankfully CP (which goes through my hometown) didn't stop using cabooses until later. I remember in the final days of CP cabooses it was fairly common to see a train several cabooses. I think the most I ever saw was 6. I can recall an accident that happened sometime in the 90's in Regina where a CN freight with a caboose backed into the rear end of another train. The caboose derailed as did the last car on the other train, but directly behind it were some tank cars with hazardous chemicals. If it wasn't for the caboose the tank car could have been damaged and leaked. Being a caboose fan I always loved that story.

[Anonymous]

Here in Saskatchewan CN stopped using cabooses before CP. My parents have told me that when I was about 3 we were in the car and I saw a CN train without a caboose and got upset and cried. They had to say they were going to pick up the caboose which was on a siding behind some trees. Thankfully CP (which goes through my hometown) didn't stop using cabooses until later. I remember in the final days of CP cabooses it was fairly common to see a train several cabooses. I think the most I ever saw was 6. I can recall an accident that happened sometime in the 90's in Regina where a CN freight with a caboose backed into the rear end of another train. The caboose derailed as did the last car on the other train, but directly behind it were some tank cars with hazardous chemicals. If it wasn't for the caboose the tank car could have been damaged and leaked. Being a caboose fan I always loved that story.