I have two questions to ask. First I was wondering what the "P" over the window on the Union Pacific caboose meant, that I have in my web page in the caboose section. I think it may means that's it is part of a pool. But does that happen in a railroad its self. I knew that cars like auto racks and some other types of car pool between railroads. http://home.mchsi.com/~railroadphotography/ Second, it was a great loss to see these car be retired and disappear. but recently I have been seeing them popping up in yards during my travels. but none on trains. Are they making a come back for switching service or something. What's with the increase of cabooses that I have seen around Iowa in the yards. Just one more. What does it mean when they say on the scanner that a engine is out of date, and it needs to be reset. thanks, Roger Hinz Waterloo,Iowa My model railroad page. http://home.mchsi.com/~hinzpj3/
You are probably seeing a lot of cabooses used in switching service where a lot of back-up moves are made. One of the terms I have heard is that cabooses are now called "shoving platforms". The BNSF uses them every now and then on certain industry jobs. They provide a safer position to ride a cut of cars while spotting industry tracks. the "out of date" that you hear is most likely that the locomotive has exceeded its time limit for the mandatory daily inspection and/or that it is due for its mandatory 90day inspection. CT
Thanks guys, that what I thought but wasn't sure. Hope to see more cabooses around, still like them cabooses. Roger
Many union railroads have it in their contract that if they have to ride the rear end of their train for a back-up move of more than 1 mile they will be provided either a shoving platform or be compensated with 2 additional hours pay. The company just wants to avoid paying the extra money!
