as a nubee to RR terms. why were caboose's called CRUMMIES? and were they called by any other names?

Cabeese had all sorts of names. Officially they were "Cabin Cars" on PRR and actually called that by the crews. On Santa Fe they were "Waycars" and in Canada "Vans." I'm sure other roads had other official names. In the UK, a similar car was a "Brake Van."

Crewmen nicknamed them many things including "Hacks" and "Crummies."

That's "crummies" as in dirty. Old-time railoading was a dirty business with steam engines throwing off flyash and cinder ballast in yards and under Secondary Tracks. All of this got in the cabin/caboose; hence the nickname.

Phil Mulligan

EJ Berry. thank you so much for that great reply to my question. that is a verry interesting subject. I guessed that they were there homes, away from home. again thank you for the reply.

You might be interested in the book "The Railroad Caboose" by William F. Knapke. It comes right up in a Google search and is available in some public libraries. It was published by Golden West Books in 1968, but it still is a good read today.

LV95068, thank you for the info. on the RR CABOOSE book. I am going to check it out and purchase it. a fascinating subject, I think. toot.

LV95068, I just bought it off of E-BAY for $8.00+ $7.50 shipping. can't wait to get into it. thanks' again for the heads up on the book. toot.