Gents -

Sorry to post this here, but not quite sure where to go with it. Earlier this week, I was northbound on Interstate 90 approaching the Rockford, Illinois area when I crossed under the old C&NW line that runs out of Elgin, Illinois through Union (home of IRM) up to Rockford. There was some kind of a Union Pacidic maintenance-of-way crane just off of the bridge along with one or two cars including a green MofW caboose. I barely had time to really notice the equipment. But one thing I DID notice, was that the caboose appeared to be one of those "northeastern" types with a center cupola. I can't, for the life of me, figure the heritage of this caboose! I don't think that the UP had anything like that. Nor the North Western. Anybody have any idea? Perhaps because it was on the line that went through Union where IRM is located, someone noticed the caboose and can tell me.

Yes I know that this is not really a railway preservation question, but maybe IRM's ex-CGW maroon caboose was once in MofW service for the C&NW. I know that other CGW cabooses were, and perhaps, might still be. So maybe there's a slight connection with rail preservation that way.

Les

Like this?

UP paints a lot of their MOW equipment from tank cars to cabooses in the green scheme, as opposed to the old silver with black lettering. I believe I might know the guy who works that rig, a crane and caboose; and I think I was once told it was Lehigh Valley heritage. At one time I was asked to make new wood windows for it, but time and money dictated no. That gave me the idea it may be owned by my friend and UP has made an accomodation to allow to go with the work train and provide sleeping quarters when needed. But I can hardly believe any corporation doing that today.

Bob Kutella

Ex LV, I believe, by way of CGW.

What you missed seeing was the brass locomotive bell on the crane.

There may be some truth (or not) to a story I once heard.

I recall hearing that the C&NW had to take PC cabooses instead of cash for per diem payments for C&NW on freight cars used on the eastern line. The Northwestern really wanted the cash, but the eastern line was cash poor. It was told to take the cars and keep quite; less everyone's house of cards come crashing down.

Nope!

Howdy,

On 5/28/65 ten steel, cupola, Lehigh Valley cabooses went to CNW via Morrison International. These became CNW 10800 (2) to 10809 (2). Two of these became work train cabooses and went to UP as such. About 5 of them went to End of Line Vacation Station, Lake Geneva, WI, where their numbers are likely lost forever.

You can tell the LV cars by their "^" window gutters.

Cheers, Roger

No, but the same color.

What does this little work train do? Sounds like a Borro crane or something similar to me.

John Bohon

Roger -

Thanks for the info. And yes, one thing I DID notice as I rushed past on the interstate was those "^" window gutters. Now that THAT mystery has been solved, all we need to do is find the original LV number of the caboose, and maybe have someone post a photo here on RyPN.

Les

Here are your choices in order of CNW 10800 series numbers*:

LV 95012 - reported as CNW Yard Office, 1969
LV 95029 - reported as retired, 1983
LV 95044 - ?
LV 95049 - reported as scrapped, 1970
LV 95051 - reported as destroyed, 19??
LV 95057 - reported as scrapped at Joliet Equipment, 1970
Lv 95081 - reported as retired, 1968
LV 95120 - reported as scrapped, 1968?
LV 95129 - reported as retired, 1989
LV 95138 - ?

Of course, we need the UP number first, the CNW MOW number second, and the CNW 10800 series number third before we get the LV number.

* Surgeon General's warning: do not hold your breath waiting for the LV number for this hack!

I love threads like this. Is there such a thing as a caboose foamer? I always read anything by caboose9 (S. Roger Kirkpatrick) when I see it listed. I've learned a lot reading these commentaries.
Fred
SRI

The outfit that I have seen and which I think this caboose is part if is a crane, but much larger than a traditional Burro, or even a Burro Model 50. A flat car crane tender still in CNWX grey with red ends, and the caboose. The crane is self propelled and roams the Belvedere sub on many occasions. They are employed with grade crossing renewal, bridge maintenance, and probably in pulling disused turnouts to industries no longer active. When needed I have seen one or two ballast hoppers in this consist.

When they need to get out of the way and 'in the hole' they often come into the IRM interchange. By often I mean a handful of times per year, and of course that depends on where they are working.
Bob Kutella

Okay Bob, I'll give you that a caboose comes and "visits" your museum a couple of times a year, but if so, are you telling me that you don't have ANY caboose fans at IRM that might have photographed this caboose? If so...TSK, TSK!

Les

I am sure that pics exist. I just do not go everywhere with a boat anchor of a camera slung around my neck. Perhaps much like you do not drive the tollway hoping for a photo op. When I have seen this outfit it has usually been during the week (MON-FRI) and those are not the days most of our foamer members are on site. And even then you would only see or notice it (perhaps) if you came to our campus from the west, not the other three compass directions. Give me a break, Les.

Bob Kutella