Caboose (rail)

Caboose was the term for a special car that would be the last car on a train. The caboose would have a special viewing platform, where the conductor could look forward and see all the other vehicles. The caboose would often contain living quarters for the crew.

Dedicated vehicles, for the use of the conductor, with a crow's nest, office and living quarters, emerged in 1863.^[1]^[2]

In the late 20th century, when the vehicles on a train could be monitored electronically, the general need for the caboose disappeared.

References

↑ "Railroad Workers". National Park Service. 2025-05-30. Archived from the original on 2025-10-08. Retrieved 2026-02-03. During the 1840’s, attention was especially drawn to railroad conductors who began wearing distinguishing apparel, thus creating the first railroad uniform. A prominent article of the crisp, dark, tailored uniforms was the small billed, dark colored, fine silk hat, bearing a silver nameplate which read 'Conductor.'
↑ "The Caboose – Caso Station". Caso Station. Archived from the original on 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2026-02-03. It was the original house trailer that contained the conductor’s office, living room, kitchen, dining room, workshop, bedroom, den and toilet.

[Nps2025-05-30-1] "Railroad Workers". National Park Service. 2025-05-30. Archived from the original on 2025-10-08. Retrieved 2026-02-03. During the 1840’s, attention was especially drawn to railroad conductors who began wearing distinguishing apparel, thus creating the first railroad uniform. A prominent article of the crisp, dark, tailored uniforms was the small billed, dark colored, fine silk hat, bearing a silver nameplate which read 'Conductor.'

[CasoCaboose-2] "The Caboose – Caso Station". Caso Station. Archived from the original on 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2026-02-03. It was the original house trailer that contained the conductor’s office, living room, kitchen, dining room, workshop, bedroom, den and toilet.

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