Built by the Chicago , Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, the caboose was the home
away from home for the train crew and also served as the office of the conductor,
who was in charge of each freight train. The Cupola atop the car is the watch
tower of the train. When it is in operation the conductor or brakeman sits in
the cupola watching to see that the train is running satisfactory. Cabeese are
no longer used in modern train service, having been replaced by "End of Train"
devices. The conductor's office is now in the locomotive cab.
A survivor of five railroad wrecks, #18058 was donated to MOT in 1949 by the Rock Island Railroad.
A survivor of five railroad wrecks, #18058 was donated to MOT in 1949 by the Rock Island Railroad.