Cabooses
Prototype Information
Railroads began using cabooses in the 1830s to house crews on long freight runs. These cars served as rolling offices where conductors handled waybills and recorded train movements. The cupola, a small cabin perched on the roof, allowed brakemen to spot smoke from overheating wheel bearings or dragging equipment. Most cabooses also included basic amenities like bunk beds and coal stoves for cooking and heating.
Technological shifts in the 1980s quickly ended the era of the caboose. The invention of the End-of-Train device (EOT) replaced the need for rear-end crew members by electronically monitoring brake pressure and movement. Improved reliability in rolling stock and automated trackside scanners also made manual inspections from a cupola unnecessary. Today, most surviving cabooses serve as museum exhibits, though a few remain in use for long backup moves or as specialized shoving platforms.
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Atlas HO NE-6 Caboose Monongahela
$30.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Atlas HO Standard Vision Caboose Great Northern
$35.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Atlas HO Standard Vision Caboose Illinois Central Gulf “Simplified”
$35.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Atlas HO Standard Vision Caboose Maine Central
$35.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Atlas HO Standard Vision Caboose Norfolk Southern
$35.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Atlas HO Standard Vision Caboose Norfolk Southern “Lake Division”
$35.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Atlas HO Standard Vision Caboose Specialized Rail Transport #103
$35.00 Add to cart -
Atlas HO Trainman C&O Style Cupola Caboose Chesapeake & Ohio “Yellow”
$32.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Atlas HO Trainman C&O Style Cupola Caboose Detroit Toledo & Ironton
$32.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Atlas Trainman HO C&O Style Cupola Caboose Operation Lifesaver “50th Anniversary” #50
$38.00 Add to cart
