Cabooses

Prototype Information

The caboose is a railroad car traditionally used at the end of freight trains. It served multiple purposes, including providing shelter for crew members, serving as an office for the conductor, and offering a vantage point for monitoring the train.

With technological advancements such as end-of-train devices (EOTs) and improved braking and signaling systems, railroads phased out cabooses by the 1980s. The automation of train operations reduced the need for onboard crews, leading to the widespread retirement of cabooses.