Northern Caboose
Why did railroads sometimes use 2 or three cabooses on one train?
I’ve looked and never really found an answer. But I have this picture of a Burlington Northern Train that had 3 cabooses at the end. I know a caboose before they were phased out were mostly used as brakes at the rear, and even on short line transfers today, the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern uses a caboose on certain trips. But what reasons would there be to use 3 on one train?
From the information people have provided me, I have a better understanding of why they did this. I would also note this picture was of a standard BN Coal Drag with 3 cabooses on the rear. most likely being pooled back into BN’s Cicero, Chicago yard.
The cabooses were probably being deadheaded somewhere. It was not uncommon to see multiple occupied cabooses in snow service, carrying maintenance of way personnel, lineman. signal maintainers, laborers, etc., as these folks were in very high demand in heavy snow storms, fighting to keep the line open.
But, by 1900, the Westinghouse Automatic Air Brake had already been around for 28 years, and the need to be atop the equipment (and caboose) lasted until the early 1970s, even as roof walks were disappearing rapidly, as did survive the employment of “swing” brakemen, although their number had been pared from 5 to 3.
All gone the way of the dodo…
BURLINGTON NORTHERN CABOOSE
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Lionel 18001 ROCK ISLAND 4-8-4 NORTHERN wFree Caboose; BuyItNow:FREE Shipping $659.99 |
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17672 GREAT NORTHERN EXTENDED VISION SMOKING CABOOSE $88.95 |
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1981 Lionel 6-6438 Great Northern Bay Window Caboose L0543L $87.00 |
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# 17671,,BURLINGTON/NORTHERN SMOKING EV CABOOSE $84.99 |
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Lionel O27 Burlington Northern Steel Sided Caboose NEW 6-17625 $84.95 |
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1989 Lionel 6-19703 Great Northern Caboose Extended VIS B2045L $77.00 |
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lionel American Flyer S Gauge Northern Pacific Extended Vision Caboose ships fre $71.99 |
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lionel American Flyer S Gauge Great Northern Extended Vision Caboose shippsfree $71.99 |
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Lionel 6-48752 AF Extended Vision Caboose Burlington Northern $68.99 |
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1977 Lionel 6-9268 Northern Pacific Bay Window Caboose L0849L $67.00 |
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NEW! Lionel Great Northern Vision Caboose 6-48757 NIB $66.99 |
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Lionel 6913 Burlington Northern Caboose $65.00 |
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M&B Marklin HO 4775 Caboose Burlington Northern $59.00 |
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O Scale MTH Great Northern GN Bay Window Caboose X23 w/Box & Manual $53.99 |
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Bachmann G Scale Train (1:22.5) Caboose Great Northern 93811 $53.76 |
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AMERICAN FLYER LINES #979 ACTION CABOOSE ,G-SCALE #913 GREAT NORTHERN,916 D&H $50.00 |
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IDM Burlington Northern Work Caboose With Crane 027 MIB $49.99 |
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HO Atlas “FREEDOM” Burlington Northern Cupola Caboose # 12618 $49.95 |
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HO Scale Early Steel Caboose – C&S (Burlington Northern) #10401 – CCS1110-01 $49.95 |
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O Scale MTH Rail King 30-7772 Northern Pacific NP Offset Steel Caboose MIB $49.49 |
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Lionel new 6-19703 Great Northern Extended Vision Caboose $49.00 |
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WALTHERS HO R-T-R BURLINGTON NORTHERN 30′ 4 WINDOW CABOOSE (CB&Q STYLE) (2 PACK) $48.50 |
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Lionel 6-9177 Northern Pacific Bay Window Caboose T5422L $47.77 |
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1976 Lionel 6-9177 Northern Pacific Caboose L0223L $47.00 |
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1977 Lionel 6-9188 Great Northern Caboose L0226L $47.00 |
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1978 Lionel 6-9270 Northern Pacific Caboose L0052L $47.00 |
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LIONEL TRAINS 19703 GREAT NORTHERN EXTENDED VISION CABOOSE – FALLEN FLAG #3 1988 $46.95 |
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ATLAS O 6601-2 BURLINGTON NORTHERN 10531 3-RAIL EXTENDED VISION CABOOSE 425846 $45.00 |
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Williams O/O27 Scale Great Northern Railway Caboose $45.00 |
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Lionel Northern Pacific Lighted Caboose in Box $45.00 |
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LIONEL TRAINS 19703 GREAT NORTHERN EXTENDED VISION CABOOSE – VERY NICE $44.95 |
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20-91016 MTH Premier O Gauge Great Northern Steel Caboose # GN X-222 $44.95 |
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MTH GREAT NORTHERN STEEL CABOOSE 20-91016 $42.95 |
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MTH Premier BN Burlington Northern Steel Caboose 20-91026 $42.00 |
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LIONEL 6-9268 NORTHERN PACIFIC ILLUMINATED BAY WINDOW CABOOSE WITH ORIGINAL BOX $40.00 |
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Lionel Great Northern Ext Caboose Lighted! New! $40.00 |
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Caboose of Modern Train $39.99 Caboose of Modern Train – Giclee Print |
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Caboose Mystery $10.27 Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny used to live alone in a boxcar. Now they have a home with their grandfather and are spending the summer traveling on a train–in their own caboose, Number 777. On the trip, they encounter a strange mystery surrounding the history of their caboose! |
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Reading Four-Wheel Caboose $59.99 Reading Four-Wheel Caboose – Wall Decal |
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Valentine Limited, Boy in Caboose $39.99 Valentine Limited, Boy in Caboose – Giclee Print |
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Photo of Men Standing in Front of Caboose $49.99 Photo of Men Standing in Front of Caboose – Giclee Print |
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The Caboose Who Got Loose $18.42 Katy Caboose is tired of being last, and one day, a freak accident allows her to escape the smoke and the noise. |
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A Ladder Leads to the Top of a Train Caboose $39.99 Raul Touzon A Ladder Leads to the Top of a Train Caboose – Photographic Print |
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Melissa And Doug Chunky Scene – Red Caboose $9.99 Melissa And Doug Chunky Scene – Red Caboose |
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CABOOSE MOTEL $80 PROPERTY TYPEVACATION HOTEL BUSINESS HOTELYEAR REMODELED 2008RATINGSAAA DIAMONDS AAA DIAMONDS 2ADDITIONAL HOTEL DESCRIPTIONWE OFFER SPACIOUS ROOMS WITH YOUR CHOICE OF KING OR DOUBLEQUEEN BEDS. SMOKING OR NON SMOKING ROOMS AVAILABLE. OURAMENITIES INCLUDE WIRELESS REFRIGERATOR MICROWAVE 12CUP COFFEE MAKERS HAIR DRYERS GUEST LAUNDRY COMPUTERROOM AND OF COURSE OUR POPULAR HOT BREAKFAST BAR SEASONALALL AT A VERY COMPETITIVE PRICE. CABOOSE ADVENTURESPHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS AND EXCURSIONS WILDERNESS AIRPLANEFLIGHTS LAKE KOOCANUSA BOAT RENTALS GUIDED FISHING FLOATTRIPS. GENERAL ROOM INFORMATION NUMBER OF ROOMS 28 NUMBER OF FLOORS 1 NUMBER OF NON SMOKING ROOMS 21ROOM DESCRIPTIONS ROOM CODE N1K BEDDING TYPE KING CLASSIFICATION REGULAR MAX OCCUPANCY 2 MAX NUMBER OF ROLLAWAYS 0 ROOM DESCRIPTION N1KSPACIOUS NON SMOKING ROOM WITH ONE KING BED FRIDGEMICROWAVE 12 CUP COFFEE MAKER HAIR DRYER ROOM CODE N2Q BEDDING TYPE QUEEN CLASSIFICATION REGULAR MAX OCCUPANCY 2 MAX NUMBER OF ROLLAWAYS 0 ROOM DESCRIPTION N2QSPACIOUS NON SMOKING ROOM WITH TWO QUEEN BEDS FRIDGEMICROWAVE 12 CUP COFFEE MAKER HAIR DRYER. ROOM CODE C2Q BEDDING TYPE QUEEN CLASSIFICATION REGULAR MAX OCCUPANCY 2 MAX NUMBER OF ROLLAWAYS 0 ROOM DESCRIPTION C2QSPACIOUS SMOKING ROOM WITH TWO QUEEN BEDS FRIDGEMICROWAVE 12 CUP COFFEE MAKER HAIR DRYER. |
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Silver Plume, Colorado – Railroad Caboose on Exhibit $19.99 Silver Plume, Colorado – Railroad Caboose on Exhibit – Premium Poster |
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C Is for Caboose $24.66 An alphabet book containing entries about the history of railroads and popular terms used to describe trains and railway work includes vintage illustrations mixed with contemporary photographs. |
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Caboose of a Train on the Cass Scenic Railroad in Morning Fog $39.99 Raymond Gehman Caboose of a Train on the Cass Scenic Railroad in Morning Fog – Photographic Print |
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View of the Cass Scenic Railroad Train from the Caboose $39.99 Raymond Gehman View of the Cass Scenic Railroad Train from the Caboose – Photographic Print |
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Person under an Umbrella Looking at a Parked Train Caboose $39.99 Raymond Gehman Person under an Umbrella Looking at a Parked Train Caboose – Photographic Print |
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Red Caboose Hobbies Oval Ornament by CafePress $12.5 Red Caboose – A little red caboose framed by a blue moon, atop railroad tracks. For lovers of the rails and train enthusiasts everywhere.A little red caboose framed by a blue moon, atop railroad tr Hobbies Oval Ornament Instantly accessorize bare wall-space with our Oval Ornament. Makes great room or office accessories, fun favors for birthday parties, wedding or baby shower Ornaments, or adding a unique, special touch to gift-wrapped packages. Comes with its own festive |
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Caboose Hobbies Black Cap by CafePress $15 Ride the Rails A little red caboose decorates this black cap. For lovers of the rails and train enthusiasts everywhere. Cafepress quality items make unique and stylish gifts. Hobbies Black Cap . Top it off in our structured black cap made of sturdy, durable brushed canvas. 100% cotton breathes for year-round comfort. Adjustable closure with a low profile crown. Images are permanently adhered with a sturdy patch. Look cool on bad hair days or w |
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Trainmaster J. M. Parker Gingerly Jumping onto a Southern Railway Caboose $79.99 Trainmaster J. M. Parker Gingerly Jumping onto a Southern Railway Caboose – Premium Photographic Print |
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Wartime Railroading: Conductor Hopping Aboard Caboose of No. 15 Bound for Augusta, GA $79.99 Alfred Eisenstaedt Wartime Railroading: Conductor Hopping Aboard Caboose of No. 15 Bound for Augusta, GA – Premium Photographic Print |
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Caboose Lodging at Izaak Walton Lodge, Essex, Montana, USA $24.99 Chuck Haney Caboose Lodging at Izaak Walton Lodge, Essex, Montana, USA – Photographic Print |
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A Bright Red Caboose and a Flower Bed Compete for Vivid Color $39.99 Stephen St. John A Bright Red Caboose and a Flower Bed Compete for Vivid Color – Photographic Print |
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Republican Presidental Candidate General Dwight Eisenhower, Speaking from a Caboose $79.99 Republican Presidental Candidate General Dwight Eisenhower, Speaking from a Caboose – Premium Photographic Print |
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Red Orange Caboose Hobbies Keepsake Box by CafePress $28.5 I love trains. That is what this caboose photo tells everyone, and you don’t have to clutter it with the love heart. Just having this caboose photo is showing your passion for all trains. Hobbies Keepsake Box This tile box is perfect for stylishly storing knick-knacks, jewelry, or any precious keepsake. Made of solid lacquered Alderwood. Measures 5 1/4 sq. x 2 1/8 with a 4 1/4 tile and hinged lid. |
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Red Orange Caboose Hobbies Tote Bag by CafePress $21 I love trains. That is what this caboose photo tells everyone, and you don’t have to clutter it with the love heart. Just having this caboose photo is showing your passion for all trains. Hobbies Tote Bag Our 100% cotton canvas tote bags have plenty of room to carry everything you need when you are on the go. They include a bottom gusset and extra long handles for easy carrying. 10 oz heavyweight natural canvas fabric. Full side and bot |
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Little Red Caboose $8.21 Description not available. |
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2”X2” Die-Train Caboose $4.99 These designer dies are available one by one and offer oodles of options for school work or play. Can also be used in other leading die-cutting machines. |
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Whitehall Gift Box Caboose Stocking Holder $24.95 Santa’s Caboose Perfect for the Mantle These beautiful stocking holders are designed to conveniently display an abundantly filled stocking without damaging your fireplace mantel or shelf. Individually crafted in hand cast aluminum, your family member’s name is permanently molded into the scene. Designed and detailed to let the glow add warmth to your hearth as well as hold the heavy weight of your secret gifts Santa’s Christmas Train is certain to become a treasured part of your family tradition. Be sure to include Grandparents and family pets in your collection. Santa’s Train Engine and Crew Cars sold separately Personalization is optional and free Measures approximately 6″ x 6″ Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery About Whitehall Products Behind the legend of Whitehall artistry lays the tale of a unique craft inspired by the majestic shores and woodlands of western Michigan. It was a master wood carver’s desire to reproduce and preserve his hand carved wood sculpture in metal, depicting the grace and essence of America’s natural beauty. Over 65 years later, Whitehall Products still offers you the same mastery in detail with each originally designed, carved and hand cast product. Over 65 Years of Manufacturing Excellence Renowned as the world’s largest manufacturer of weathervanes, Whitehall is also recognized for its extensive line of personalized home address plaques, mailboxes, and garden accents such as hose holders, birdbaths, birdfeeders and sundials. Whitehall’s home accent collection includes unique indoor/outdoor clocks and thermometers and personalized doormats. |
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Northern Europe $24.99 Stocktrek Images Northern Europe – Photographic Print |
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