Cabooses were found at the end of most freight trains until the 1980s. They provide shelter for crew members located the rear of the train where they performed duties such as switching or backing maneuvers and observing the train for load shifting or overheating axles. They also served as the conductor’s office. Many cabooses were purpose-built while others were converted from boxcars or other car types.

Duluth Missabe & Iron Range #C-74

Type: Cupola Caboose
Builder: Duluth, Missabe & Northern
Build Date: 1924


Chicago & North Western #10802

Type: Drovers Caboose
Builder: American Car & Foundry
Build Date: 1909


Milwaukee Road #01524

Type: Cupola Caboose
Builder: Chicago Milwaukee & St. Paul
Build Date: 1923


Soo Line #99085

Type: Cupola Caboose
Builder: Haskell & Barker Car Co.
Build Date: 1909


Great Northern #X582

Type: Cupola Caboose
Builder: Great Northern
Build Date: 1925


CRIP Caboose #17772

Chicago Rock Island & Pacific #17772

Type: Passenger/Baggage Caboose
Builder: Rebuilt by CRI&P
Build Date: 1940


Baltimore & Ohio #C-1921

Type: Cupola Caboose
Builder: Baltimore & Ohio
Build Date: 1925


Chicago St. Paul Minneapolis & Omaha #6110

Type: Bay Window Caboose
Builder: Chicago St. Paul Minneapolis & Omaha
Build Date: 1892


Soo Line #203

Type: Cupola Caboose
Builder: American Car & Foundry
Build Date: 1906


Duluth South Shore & Atlantic #570

Type: Cupola Caboose
Builder: Duluth South Shore & Atlantic
Build Date: 1913


Chicago & North Western #12476

Type: Cupola Caboose
Builder: Unconfirmed
Build Date: Prior to 1913


transfer caboose

Wisconsin & Southern #X103

Type: Transfer Caboose
Builder: Rebuilt by Grand Trunk Western
Build Date: 1975


Duluth South Shore & Atlantic #568

Type: Cupola Caboose
Builder: Duluth South Shore & Atlantic
Build Date: 1911


#01855 at North Freedom, March 2016. Kelly Bauman photo.

Milwaukee Road #01855

Type: Rib-Sided Bay Window Caboose
Builder: Chicago Milwaukee St. Paul & Pacific
Build Date: 1939


Duluth Missabe & Iron Range #C-183

Type: Cupola Caboose
Builder: Duluth & Iron Range
Build Date: 1906


Milwaukee Road #01601

Type: Cupola Caboose
Builder: Chicago Milwaukee St. Paul & Pacific
Build Date: 1929


Chicago Burlington & Quincy #15

Type: Cupola Caboose
Builder: Chicago Burlington & Quincy
Build Date: 1895


Wisconsin & Calumet #529

Type: Cupola Caboose
Builder: Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe
Build Date: 1948