Photographed behind DM&IR 2-8-8-4 #225 in Proctor, Minnesota:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/streetcarb ... otostream/

Why historic? Well, in 1952, the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range placed an order for the VERY FIRST production steel wide-vision (extended-vision) cupola cabooses in the country with the International Car Company. These 20 cabooses were the very first of a genre that spread throughout the railroad industry lasting until cabooses themselves became obsolete. And of those 20 cabooses, number C-200 was the very first of the first.

It should be noted that the C-200 and the other 19, had a different paint scheme when first delivered to the Missabe. Originally they had black lettering and a black roof. And also marker lights in the center of the cupola roof. But no matter, the main thing is that C-200 is still with us. Bravo DM&IR, for preserving this pioneer!

Les