The image of a little red caboose trundling along behind a long freight train is a classic slice of Americana. With the help of nearly 300 marvelous modern and historical images depicting cabooses of all colors, this collection traces the development of this iconic, bygone rolling stock from the nineteenth century to their almost total demise by the mid-1990s. Bobber, cupola, bay window, and transfer cabooses are shown at work across the United States, in the process presenting the grand geographic scope of North American railroading. The photography is accompanied by detailed captions discussing caboose construction, function, history, and locations depicted.
I don't typically review books that I read with my almost-three year old (frankly, how many different ways can you skin a Berenstain Bear?), but I'll make an exception for this one. Trains are awesome, we all know that, kids, adults, kaiju love 'em, people love to ride them and hijack them. The engines get all the play though, with the caboose getting second rail, if that. Well, sate your thirst for all things cabooscular here. The little historical introductions to each section are succinct and charming. The real meat is the hundreds and hundreds of incredible photographs of cabooses old and new. Pretty much runs the gamut of North American caboosery. Bringing up the rear in style.