Believe it or not (I hardly believe my eyes), I just saw a southbound UP mixed freight passing through Durant, OK with a caboose! I was too far from track side to get reporting marks but it was painted a fairly dark Box Car Red with some small reporting marks in white. This was a bay window caboose with a tripod radio antenna on the roof that kind of reminds me of SP.
Have I passed through a time warp or something?
ChuckAllen, TX
More that likely a "local" making deliveries/pickups from local industry(ies) where the engine(s) cannot get on the other end to pull the train back, so the caboose is added to be used as a "shoving platform" for the reverse move. An employee stands on the caboose porch, with a hand-air-valve to control the brakes if necessary and as a "lookout" for, and in communications via radio with, the engineer.
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
Semper Vaporo More that likely a "local" making deliveries/pickups from local industry(ies) where the engine(s) cannot get on the other end to pull the train back, so the caboose is added to be used as a "shoving platform" for the reverse move. An employee stands on the caboose porch, with a hand-air-valve to control the brakes if necessary and as a "lookout" for, and in communications via radio with, the engineer.
The "local needs" are spot on for an explanation in some areas. I don't have certainty that it was the case in your situation. Here at Jonesboro AR on the BNSF, it is situation normal, each and every day. If one saw the switching that they had to do all day long, hoping in and out off the main from KC to Mps. And the spurs that they service are long spurs to industry. mike endmrw0627181749
"shoving platform"
Could also be a caboose for the department of defense or one of the other private companies that roster them (Kasgro or Siemens for example).
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
I have seen a MoPac Caboose in MOW Green on use on the Union Pacific before at Henefer, Utah. Technically it wasn't a train since it was being hauled by one of those heavy duty highrail trucks with a few gondolas between it and the crummy (and not a properly crewed locomotive); but I count this as my only UP caboose on the mainline I have seen.
I also have seen a few of the "shoving platforms" around here a few in Salt Lake City, one at Rowley, and another at Milford. Never seen any of them in action though.
There's one floating around Fostoria, OH, too, among others around the country.
A common characteristic is that the windows will all be plated over. In fact, the entire caboose may be sealed (or secured), leaving only the end platforms as a place for crews to safely stand during push movements.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
A "Department of Defense" caboose? Does it split in half and launch a missile like on my cousin's Lionel set from 50 years ago?
When I was in the Navy at Norfolk Virginia in the 1970s, there was a yard near one of the gates to the base that was full of rusty gray boxcars that never went anywhere. The rumour was that they were missile cars. Nonsense I guess but we never went near them.
Not sure if it is what you saw, but the missile train was a real thing:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacekeeper_Rail_Garrison
The Soviets had one too:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/RT-23_Molodets
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
A NS local here uses a caboose also x N&W.
Russell
54light15A "Department of Defense" caboose?
They are used for sensitive movements (as in "high security").
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2401571
xboxtravis7992 I have seen a MoPac Caboose in MOW Green on use on the Union Pacific before at Henefer, Utah. Technically it wasn't a train since it was being hauled by one of those heavy duty highrail trucks with a few gondolas between it and the crummy (and not a properly crewed locomotive); but I count this as my only UP caboose on the mainline I have seen. I also have seen a few of the "shoving platforms" around here a few in Salt Lake City, one at Rowley, and another at Milford. Never seen any of them in action though.
Cabooses in MOW service are classified as "gang cars." They are outfitted with seats, cabinets and desk space for use of the foreman and work gang.
I think the OP may have seen a caboose repurposed by a private owner. I've seen some used for riders that accompany special moves. When a caboose/shoving platform/gang car is deadheaded by train, placement is still required on the rear end.
Jeff
tree68 54light15 A "Department of Defense" caboose? They are used for sensitive movements (as in "high security"). http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2401571
54light15 A "Department of Defense" caboose?
The caboose in that picture is most definitely NOT what I saw. First, the one I saw was not that "Day Glo" yellow; it was a dark red. Second, the pictured caboose is a wide-vision type; the one I saw was a bay-window design.
cefinkjrThe caboose in that picture is most definitely NOT what I saw. First, the one I saw was not that "Day Glo" yellow; it was a dark red. Second, the pictured caboose is a wide-vision type; the one I saw was a bay-window design.
Hey - no problem. Somebody mentioned DOD, so I found several images...
They actually were in several colors.
What I saw in Norfolk was a yard full of ordinary rusty gray boxcars that were nothing like the missile car that you posted. Thre had to be at least 30 of them in a small yard.
When I was first stationed in Norfolk, there was an extensive rail system and most of the piers were rail-served. Just outside the gates was an overpass that led to a railyard that I was told was for bringing coal to the ships for refueling, this was unused and later torn out.
The base rail system had several GE 44-ton switchers and it made the base newspaper when they bought a Fairbanks-Morse locomotive. I don't recall the type but all of the locos were painted yellow. People would park thier cars on the tracks thinking that they were abandoned. They were not and cars got totalled.
Actually, the minimal reporting marks that I saw could have been DODX; I saw this from a 12th floor hotel room window about 200 yards from the track. (The room clerk wondered why I wanted a room on that side of the building.) But the size, design, and the roof-top, tripod antenna said SP pretty loudly.
As stated in above posts, shove platform is the correct defination in leiu of caboose. Labor realtions changed that yrs ago in regards to arbritary pay issues. Simply put, there is no such thing any longer as a caboose
SFbrkmnAs stated in above posts, shove platform is the correct defination in leiu of caboose. Labor realtions changed that yrs ago in regards to arbritary pay issues. Simply put, there is no such thing any longer as a caboose
If it were a 'caboose' certain appliances would be required to be on board and operative - crews could, in accordance with FRA Regulations SHOP a cab and refuse to use it unless the required appliances were all operatiing. Thus the carriers transformed Cabooses into Shoving Platforns - plate the windows, weld the doors and it is no longer a caboose and covered by caboose regulations.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
We still have cabooses (cabin cars!) that you can get into. Most of the required devices were removed (heater, lights). Although I don't know if those things are even in the contracts anymore.
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