RAILROAD.NET - Northeastern Cabooses Part 2



Northeastern Cabooses: Part 2

NW #500832. The Norfolk & Western leased the Pittsburgh & West Virginia in 1964 as part of the massive expansion that led to the present day Norfolk Southern Corporation. The P&WV cabooses were renumbered by adding "500" ahead of the old P&WV number. This one is crossing the diamond at Bloomington, IL, on 4-12-78, taken by an unknown photographer.
	PC #18403. The Penn Central had acquired sixteen old Lehigh Valley cabooses before the Conrail merger. Here is one of the first group (18400-18405) in the jade green inherited by PC from the old New York Central. Formerly LV 95119, it became Conrail 18605. Taken at Camden, NJ, on 11-70, by J. C. La Rue, Jr.
	PC #18923. An ex- LV caboose (95078) in the second group (18417-18426), in the medium green adopted as the standard caboose color in Penn Central's later days. This caboose was scrapped in 1977, and never received Conrail paint. Taken at Conway, PA, on 4-6-75, by D. H. Hamley.
	CR #94004. When Conrail took over, some cabooses were immediately "Conrailized" by painting over the old name and number and stenciling the new name and number in their place. Here is a rare example in which the name has been changed, but not the old Reading number. It later became Conrail 18827. Taken at Youngstown, OH, on 9-19-76, by D. H. Hamley.
	CR #18747. Conrail placed many of the "Northeastern" cabooses in class N-4, and, to the delight of historians, stenciled the original railroad initials and caboose number in the upper right hand corner. Thus it is clear that Conrail 18747 was originally Reading 92911. Taken at Youngstown, OH, on 4-9-77, by D. H. Hamley.
	CR #18820. Photo by Joseph R. Quinn CR 18820. Some of the ex- Reading cabooses were in class N-4A, as seen here. The caboose bears signs of recent repairs, as evidenced by the "patch" paint. This one is former Reading 94040. Taken at Kingston, NY, on 7-22-80, by J. R. Quinn.
	CR #18878. Ex- CNJ cabooses were class N-4B on Conrail. Ex- CNJ 91530 is seen here at the former PRR stronghold of Northumberland, PA, on 8-5-81, taken by J. R. Quinn.
	CR #18650 (ex-LV #95063). Despite their similarities to the Reading and CNJ cabooses, the ex- LV cabooses were classed as N-5G by Conrail. This one is at St. Nicholas, PA (in former Reading territory), on 8-6-81. Taken by J. R. Quinn.
	AC&Y #66. The Akron, Canton & Youngstown was formally absorbed into the burgeoning N&W system in 1982, after having been leased in 1964. It had kept its own cabooses, two of which were ex- Reading, though the original Reading numbers are unknown. The most obvious evidence is the Taylor trucks, a design unique to the Reading. Probably taken at Akron, OH, on 11-22-73, by D. H. Hamley.
	BR&W #35 (ex-RDG 92813). One of three ex- Reading cabooses on the Black River & Western, caboose 35 is former Reading class NMh 92813. Taken at Ringoes, NJ, on 11-7-82, by F. Szachacz.
	CR&IC #727X (ex-RDG #90727), The Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, a former interurban operating between its namesake cities, obtained two ex- Reading class NMf cabooses in 1963 via Marshall Railway Equipment Company. The original Reading number was 90727, and for a while the "Crandic" operated it in original colors with just the "Reading" and the first two digits of the old number painted out. Eventually it was repainted in this striking UP-inspired scheme. Taken at Cedar Rapids, IA, on 7-27-75, by K. C. Henkels.
	D&H #35801. The Delaware & Hudson received a few ex- LV cabooses as part of the agreement that gave them trackage rights when Conrail was formed. One of them is seen here at Colonie, NY, on 10-31-81, taken by J. C. La Rue, Jr.
	DT&SL #129. Former LV caboose on the Detroit & Toledo Shore Line. All Lehigh Valley cabooses had distinctive rain guards over the windows. Taken at Toledo, OH, on 8-4-72, by D. H. Hamley.
	DRI&NW #3. The Davenport, Rock Island & North Western Railway had one ex- Reading class NMh caboose on its roster, seen here at Davenport, IA, on 1-3-85, taken by K. C. Henkels.
	GNWR #11. Ex- LV caboose on the Genessee & Wyoming. This one has been rebuilt (note modified side windows), but retains the "owl eyes" end windows that characterized some LV cabooses. Taken at Retsof, NY, on 8-21-77, by D. H. Hamley. Photo by David H. Hamley

Article by John C. La Rue, Jr.

With the steady decline in traffic, which began soon after World War II, many railroads began to dispose of their older cabooses. Those in poor condition were sold for scrap, but surplus cabooses in good condition were sold to short lines and occasionally other Class 1 railroads that needed them. Some were sold directly and others through second-hand equipment dealers. The "Northeastern" cabooses were no exception and by the 1970s could be found on railroads that, in some cases, were thousands of miles away from the lines that built them.

When Conrail began operations on April 1, 1976, several of its component railroads, namely the Reading; Central Railroad of New Jersey; Lehigh Valley; and Lehigh & Hudson River; had long standardized on the "Northeastern" caboose. The Penn Central had inherited some ex-Lehigh Valley cabooses along the way. The L&HR cabooses, which had bodies made from plywood sheathing (to conserve steel in the early days of the war effort), were promptly set aside, but the others were soon "Conrailized" in blue paint and white markings.

While the American caboose did not have much active life past the 1980s, it was certainly interesting to see these old workhorses start a second life, often many miles from home.

Sources of information: "Reading Company Cabooses," by John W. Hall, additional information from John S. Koehler.

	LEF&C #12. Another rebuilt ex- LV caboose, this time on the Lake Erie, Franklin & Clarion. Taken at Clarion, PA, on 8-25-73, by D. H. Hamley. Photo by David H. Hamley
	M&P #2007 (ex-RDG #92947). One of the few remaining Reading class NMh cabooses, 92947, ended up on the Maryland & Pennsylvania after a stint as caboose 21 of the York Southern, an abortive attempt to run steam excursions on the "Ma & Pa". Taken at York, PA, on 11-70, by J. C. La Rue, Jr.
	MEC #661. Ex- WM caboose on the Maine Central, rebuilt with new windows. It is at Eastport, ME, about as far "down east" as a US railroad can get. Taken on 6-19-75, by R. Worcester. Photo by Bob Worcester
	NL&G #46. Another rebuilt ex- Reading caboose on the North Louisiana & Gulf. Again, the unique Taylor trucks are the most obvious indication. Taken at Gibsland, LA, on 8-30-76, by C. Conniff.
	NH&I #92857. This Reading class NMk retained its original number and paint scheme on the New Hope & Ivyland. It eventually ended up in Fairless Hills, PA, and was recently damaged by fire, but is being rebuilt. Taken at New Hope, PA, on 8-3-75, by D. H. Hamley.
	P&S #190. This Pittsburgh & Shawmut caboose was once Reading 92809, a class NMg, one of two obtained from Altoona Freight Car & Parts Co. Seen in fresh paint and the hexagonal P&S logo at Brookville, PA, on 4-26-75, taken by D. H. Hamley.
	P&S #191. This was ex- Reading 92826, a class NMh caboose. This one shows the revived "Shawmut Lines" herald of the P&S's "father", the long abandoned Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern. Taken at Brookville, PA, on 7-24-82, by D. H. Hamley.
	P&S #196. The Pittsburgh & Shawmut also rostered a pair of ex- LV cabooses, 195 and 196. In 1975, the P&S repainted 196 for the upcoming American Bicentennial. Taken at Brookville, PA, on 6-24-75, by D. H. Hamley.
	CRI&P #17604. The beleaguered Rock Island obtained at least two ex-LV cabooses, one of which is seen here at Des Moines, IA, on 6-3-80, taken by P. Arnold.
	S&A #256. Ex- Reading class NMg caboose, number unknown, far from the tracks of the Savannah & Atlanta, and even further from Reading, PA, where it was built in 1930. Taken at Oneida, TN, on 10-25-68, by C. Conniff.
	WJSL #79. Ex- CNJ caboose, original number unknown, on the West Jersey Railroad, one of numerous operators of freight service on portions of the onetime Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines. Taken at Vineland, NJ, on 5-91, by K. S. Roberts.

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