What is a transfer caboose? Is this a caboose without a road name that is used by different roads as needed or something entirely different?
FritzvB
Taking a stab here. I think they were limited to work inside a yard and between yards (hence transfer). They didn’t have all the amenities of a normal caboose used on mainline trains.
Rick
Here’s an example of a transfer caboose.
A transfer caboose is a crew car on the end of a train moving from one railroad’s yard to another to exchange cars either for return to home roads, usually empties, or loaded cars for destinations beyond the originating road’s service area.
There are many variations of the type of equipment used from a regular raod caboose to shed on a flat car to provide the crew shelter from the elements, thus not a great deal of investment in lettering or paint. Local ordinances a times required a “cabin” car on the end of the train durning any type of move, even short runs between neighboring railroads’ yards.
Hope this helps answer your question.
Will
Here’s another example, this one from the Monon.
These cars were built in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1956 and were built by the Monon for the Monon. They were numbered 81551-81553.
http://www.monon.org/caboose/81551.jpg
http://www.monon.org/caboose/81553-01.jpg
http://www.monon.org/caboose/b81552.jpg
A transfer caboose looks more like a flat car with a shed bolted to the middle of it than it does a standard caboose. It is used in transfer service between rail yards or short switching runs, and as such lacks sleeping, cooking or restroom facilities. The ends of a transfer caboose are left open, with safety railings surrounding the area between the crew compartment and the end of the car.
A recent variation on the transfer caboose is the “pushing or shoving platform.” It can be any railcar where a brakeman can safely ride for some distance to help the engineer with visibility at the other end of the train. Flatcars and covered hoppers have been used for this purpose, but often the pushing platform is a caboose that has had its windows covered and welded shut and permanently locked doors. As of 2006, CSX uses former Missouri Pacific Railroad “shorty” transfer cabooses and marks them as pushing platforms. CSX also uses remote
her is one, a former road caboose all sealed up with a kitchen chair against the doors for somewhere to sit!
sidenote; they are sealed shut because if the crew can get inside then the caboose must have all facilities and equipment operational. heating, toilet, radios etc. and by sealing them up they only have to meet requirements as a mow flat car for running gear.
Thank you all. I have learned so very much during the short time I’ve been on this forum. The knowledge of you folks here is absolutely amazing.
FritzvB