Are Cabooses really required for short trains?

[Loco722]

Hello there,

As mentioned by me under the topic "Maximum Gradient", I'm modeling a fictitious branch line (only diesels) in which the trains will only consist a maximum of 1 locomotive with 4 50ft box cars and caboose.

Looking thru the internet, I noticed that short trains as mentioned above don't seem to need a caboose at the back even with locos with conventional cabs.

Any opinions/thoughts with regard to this?

Thanks in advance !

Loco722. 

[simkon]

In real life, most trains nowadays run without cabooses long or short, it is more common to see a train that does not have a caboose than a train that has one.

[CNE Runner]

'Loco' - Today's trains do not require the use of a caboose. In days of yore, the caboose served as a 'holder' of lanterns to warn following trains, as an office for the conductor, as an observation 'platform' to check the well being of the train, as well as a refuge for the numerous brakeman between duty periods. Today the use of an End of Train Device (ETD or FRED) is used because the conductor has a desk/workspace in the locomotive cab (no more fireman), on larger locomotives there is a place for the brakeman to ride, and the ETD takes care of warning following traffic as well as running constant checks on the train's health. You can learn more about this interesting device at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashing_rear-end_device

Incidentally, there are EDTs available in HO should you choose to add this for realism.

Ray

[Santa Fe buff]

For earlier operations, they either would have the caboose in front of the train, behind the engine as so the switcher keeps the caboose. Or they would have the caboose at the end if they were going far or had a longer train. Then some would just put a flag in the coupler and close it on the pole.

Ray's right, though, go watch a train today. You'll see a FRED flashing on the rear. We have two ex-Illinois Central cabooses, and they used to (and sometimes do) switch with them.

Joshua

[buzz]

Hi loco 722
All depends on when we are talking about.
If you are modeling a time frame when cabooses where the norm then you must have one no train ran without one, with the possable exception of a mixed train where a combine might take the place of a caboose

If we are talking today's modern railways what's a caboose the modern trains don't have one
They have a lone guard on the last wagon which has one or two flashing lights and possably a GPS in it
regards John

[Loco722]

Hello there,

Sorry, I should have been a little more specific of which time frame I'm modeling.

I'm modeling the in the mid 90s to late 90s  .

So would using a ETD or FRED fit that time frame?

Thanks for Your input once again !

Loco722.

[RAM]

90s, no you do not need a caboose. 

[ebtbob]

Loco,

      RAM is correct that a railroad modeled in the 90s would not have a caboose.   Now,  that being said,   depending on the railroad,   a local freight may very well have a caboose.
      One more thought.......one thing to remember is to have fun in this hobby.    If your fun comes from being extremely true to the prototype,  so be it.   If your fun comes from just running trains,  so be it.   So......if you like cabooses,  then get one and have fun.

Bob

[Cody J]

I am modeling the fictional BNSF Freemont Subdivision which is set in 1997, I am planning on either 1 or 2 ATSF cabooses and maybe 1 BN caboose and 1 BNSF caboose so obviously I agree with ebtbob on what he said.

cody

[RAM]

A lot, if not most cabooses you see today are not cabooses, shove cars.  Just a place for the breakmen to stand while the train the backing up.  The doors and widow are sealed shut.

[jward]

on short local trains, in the era you are talking about, neither eot nor caboose was required. often you'd just see a red flag stuck in the coupler on the last car.....

[Woody Elmore]

I was once told by a former PRR employee who worked in a signal tower that "trains" had a caboose and may or may not been scheduled. Moving a group of freight cars without a caboose was called a "move." The move may have had a flag in the coupler or not, depending on the railroad.

I think caboose rules varied from railroad to railroad although I'm sure there were FRA rules.

It is your railroad. If you want to use cabooses on your layout, go ahead. If you model the nineties you might research the railroad or railroads you like and see what they did in the transition from caboose to EOT device.

[tomblair]

It is my understanding that in coal country, caboose may be dictated for certain mine runs with numerous grade crossings.

Additionally, a couple of caboose are used on some transfer runs here in Norfolk.

If you likr a coboose you can always say that locl law requires it.

Tom

[Santa Fe buff]

Also, some modern yards (Like ours.) have special gems. We have two cabooses  stationary on a spur in the Kankakee yard. One had a stove fire and is rusty a bit, the other looks like the good old Illinois Central never went out of business. I sometimes find a caboose added to our switchers, but that's starting to become more rare nowadays. If you would like a FRED, do some research. Each railroad has a different color, and different style. Just simply looking at videos/images of modern trains may have your answer. There's a model (and working.) version of the FRED available in HO scale. If I was doing more modern times, I would invest in one. They use the metal wheel-sets as electrical contacts and have copper flanges to transfer the electricity.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/514-N8040
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/475-10001101

Those are the only two I could find right now, I know I say a more realistic one with the actual body of FRED and everything wired to a truck somewhere, just hold on until I can find it.

Joshua

[Cody J]

Those are the only two I could find right now, I know I say a more realistic one with the actual body of FRED and everything wired to a truck somewhere, just hold on until I can find it.

Maybe these will help:
Long Wire:
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/rng/rngeot33lw.htm
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/rng/rngeot33lwy.htm
Standard Wire:
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/rng/rngeot36y.htm
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/rng/rngeot36.htm

cody