Does any one know where this term came from ?
Why is a caboose sometimes called a Crummy ?
From Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
cabooseOne entry found for caboose. Main Entry: ca·boose 
Pronunciation: k&-'büs
Function: noun
Etymology: probably from Dutch kabuis, kombuis, from Middle Low German kabuse
1 : a ship’s galley
2 : a freight-train car attached usually to the rear mainly for the use of the train crew
3 : one that follows or brings up the rear
From: Wikipedia
The word “caboose”
Ah cabin cars my foot! Its blasphemy to call them that on the New Haven - unless its a borrowed PRR HACK… LOL [:)]
[quote user=“Pathfinder”]
From Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
cabooseOne entry found for caboose.
Main Entry: ca·boose
Pronunciation: k&-'büs
Function: noun
Etymology: probably from Dutch kabuis, kombuis, from Middle Low German kabuse
1 : a ship’s galley
2 : a freight-train car attached usually to the rear mainly for the use of the train crew
3 : one that follows or brings up the rear
Well that Solves the Caboose Part but where did the Crummy Term Come from
and Why Crummy ?
Is it because they were Dirty from being at the end of the train and covered in Smoke ?
From: Wikipedia
The word “caboose”
Crews called the caboose the “crummy” because they often were crummy. Most railroads didn’t spend too much on cabooses since they weren’t revenue items, so they often had a minimal amount of creature comforts and often gave a rough ride. Since cabooses weren’t interchanged with other railroads, they weren’t covered by ICC rules so it wasn’t unheard of to see an old wood caboose with trussrods and archbar trucks in service well into the 1950’s - I think a few CB&Q wood cabooses survived into the BN era.
The word “crummy” was also popular in relation to logging company cabooses, also called “bobbers” because their small size and 4 wheeled frame made them look like they were bobbing along. If you can find a bobber caboose (common in the 60’s and 70’s) it would make an interesting addition to the end of a work train. I use an old round-end observation car on mine. One day I’ll see if I can scratch-build a bobber on an old 3 axle wheel truck with only 2 wheelsets.
Actually guys what you are doing is trying to understand old railroad speak that has slowly died over the years…On the C&O a caboose was a “Hack” or plain “Cab”.As mention the PRR man called them "Cabin Cars…Santa Fe men called them “Way Cars” and so it goes.Add buggy,feather bedders delight,slack shack etc.
Its all railroad speak.
Slack shack? First time I heard that one.