Gantt Manufacturing Southern Railway Bay Window Caboose

Prototype Information

Gantt Manufacturing, based in Greenville, South Carolina, built a reputation by repairing, modifying, and rebuilding rail equipment—especially cabooses. In 1969, Gantt began delivering bay window cabooses to Southern Railway, helping modernize the railroad’s caboose fleet during a pivotal era.

The first group rolled out in Southern’s signature freight car red and hit the rails on everything from fast-paced manifest trains to slow, winding locals. These early cabooses came equipped with roof-mounted running boards, but crews quickly removed them as safety standards evolved. By 1970, new deliveries arrived without roof walkways, reflecting a cleaner, more modern design.

Southern made it easy to spot the difference between assignments. Cabooses assigned to road service wore solid red, while those working local routes featured bright yellow bay windows. Gantt’s work ensured these cabooses stood out—not just in color, but in durability and performance system-wide.