Inside the Train’s Last Car: The Forgotten Caboose (S2, E5) | Trains Unlimited | Full Episode

My Dad worked for 40 years on the C&O (later becoming CSX) He worked as a brakeman and conductor. He didn’t like the conductor job! Said it was stressful! He worked near Charleston WV and they hauled both coal and chemicals from the various chemical companies in Charleston. He retired in 1982 and passed away in 1991. This story brought back many memories of Daddy. 😢

We all learned about the little engine that could, but the caboose was forgotten and misunderstood

I'm fortunate to have memories of trains with a caboose at the end.

Wow, I miss how the History Channel used to be

That was great, thanks. Back in the 50's & 60's almost everybody lived near or came into contact with trains and the caboose was taken for granted to be there. 😢

Trains don't look normal to me without the caboose

The video itself is 27 years old. The caboose was also the most dangerous car on a train - with more employees being injured in connection with mounting, dismounting and riding cabooses - In 21st Century trains 10, 12, 15 thousand foot freight trains can develop one heck of slack action wallop - more than the body can withstand without injury.

I lived in a caboose for nearly 60 years. Met my wife and got married in one.

Now I know what my grandmother meant when she told us when we misbehaved as kids “I’m gonna paint your little cabooses red!” 😠

For the railroaders who lost their jobs to the FRED, the acronym stood for F**king Rear End Device.