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Caboose
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.
- GenresTrains
195 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 4, 2026
By the time I became interested in trains, they were become a less important means of public transport and losing market share to long distance trucking. But the iconic freight train in every toy train set had an engine and a caboose. I had never read much about caboose purpose and design and evolution and this book promised to answer my questions. This is primarily a compendium of photos that more than adequately trace the history of the caboose, its design, construction and use. I think that I will select a few quotations to give you some idea of the very useful text.
“The car evolved as a combination observation post, rolling operations center, crew bunk, canteen, conductor’s office, and tool car. It was here that a conductor would do his paperwork and manage train operations, while brakemen and flagmen set brakes and protected the back of the train when stopped or waiting in sidings to meet other trains."
"Wide-scale implementation of radio and computer technologies between the 1960s and 1980s, combined with the introduction of innovations such as line-side defect detectors, contributed to the decline of once crucial roles held by the caboose, yet the cars survived under the old work rules. The advent of radio telemetry devices that could monitor brake-pipe pressure at the back of the train, along with greater investment in technologies such as centralized traffic control and reduced crew sizes, combined with revised work rules implemented during the 1980s, resulted in North American railroads phasing out routine caboose operations."
One photo of a Soo Line caboose caught my eye. "Soo Line operated mixed train services on remote portions of its system. These trains were listed in the public timetable, giving passengers the opportunity to experience a real working railroad for a cash fare. Although the schedules were not especially expedient, the trips were often memorable." I would go to and from summer camp near Lake Superior by way of the Soo Line. The ride through rural Illinois and Wisconsin was on a passenger car with freight cars in front of it and a caboose behind it. We stopped often through the night and loads were shifted. A much shorter journey by automobile, this was the least expensive way to make the trip.
Definitely only for a select group of enthusiasts. It was very well done.
4.5
("In Britain, a similar type of car was called the “brake van.” It rode at the back of a freight to assist crews with braking loose-coupled cars in the days before automatic brakes were standard equipment.")
“The car evolved as a combination observation post, rolling operations center, crew bunk, canteen, conductor’s office, and tool car. It was here that a conductor would do his paperwork and manage train operations, while brakemen and flagmen set brakes and protected the back of the train when stopped or waiting in sidings to meet other trains."
"Wide-scale implementation of radio and computer technologies between the 1960s and 1980s, combined with the introduction of innovations such as line-side defect detectors, contributed to the decline of once crucial roles held by the caboose, yet the cars survived under the old work rules. The advent of radio telemetry devices that could monitor brake-pipe pressure at the back of the train, along with greater investment in technologies such as centralized traffic control and reduced crew sizes, combined with revised work rules implemented during the 1980s, resulted in North American railroads phasing out routine caboose operations."
One photo of a Soo Line caboose caught my eye. "Soo Line operated mixed train services on remote portions of its system. These trains were listed in the public timetable, giving passengers the opportunity to experience a real working railroad for a cash fare. Although the schedules were not especially expedient, the trips were often memorable." I would go to and from summer camp near Lake Superior by way of the Soo Line. The ride through rural Illinois and Wisconsin was on a passenger car with freight cars in front of it and a caboose behind it. We stopped often through the night and loads were shifted. A much shorter journey by automobile, this was the least expensive way to make the trip.
Definitely only for a select group of enthusiasts. It was very well done.
4.5
("In Britain, a similar type of car was called the “brake van.” It rode at the back of a freight to assist crews with braking loose-coupled cars in the days before automatic brakes were standard equipment.")
October 11, 2013
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.
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.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews