I work at a refinery in Wilmington,Ca and I occasionally see a train that services the industries in the area that has what looks like a Caboose. It is quite nostaglic. Does anyone know what it is used for and why I get the pleasure of seeing one?
If a long shove, or backup move is made, it is pretty typical. On the CP here in Wisconsin they also use some cabooses for ‘road offices’ on MOW trains.
Are there any markings, etc. on it to help those ‘in the know’ to identify it?
Ed
Cabooses or more properly shove cars provide trainmen a safe place to ride during extended shoves. Generally, they also have an air whistle and some sort of brake valve.
As a side note…to be properly called a Caboose, the car must be equipped with a list of items. like chairs, a toilet, sink, etc. By designated it a shove car, the Company can ignore all equipment required for a caboose.
Nick
I do not remember any markings (other than graffiti). It is a faded yellow. Maybe ex UP.
Here in northern Ohio, cabooses being used on local’s are not that uncommon. Where these are located in most cases its up to the individual train crew whether they want to use it or not. It saves a lot of walking for train crew members that have to throw switches, or protect crossings on back up moves.
A train member working for CSX recently retired and kept the caboose he had for the local, he bought it from the railroad. CSX then provided another caboose for the local’s use, the crew assigned repainted it to its original B&O livery. Very nostalgic and indeed a pleasure to see.
Would that be the Lorain local for csx??? We would like to get over that way someday.Csx locally has an operation lifesaver caboose here for the y101.We have also seen the B&O 175th anniversary caboose here in defiance on a rail train.They are nice to see for sure.
stay safe
joe
Joe,
Yes that is the Lorain local. If you want to see the caboose when its not in use they park it at Lester Station, a short distance off SR57. The weekend crew usually does not use it and on Sunday’s the local does not run as often as it did in the past due to Lorain Steel Plant.
Thanks for the information.The Defiance local parks at the csx shak across from GM on 281/18 here in Defiance.They do make extra runs on sunday($$$) sometimes when they have extra cars for the maw or the new yard at North Baltimore needs something.
stay safe
joe
Well, today they are called “shoving platforms’. the crew can stand on this and get out of the weather instead of holding onto the grab irons In 20*weather with ice on everything.