Why do we rarely ever see a caboose anymore?

Question

Why do we rarely ever see a caboose anymore?

Answer 1

Technology has simply improved to the point that they are rarely needed any longer.  Although the caboose once housed train workers who could couple and uncouple the cars, this is now done automatically.  Add into the mix the fact that the caboose 1) was a relatively dangerous place to be, and 2) didn't result in any income for the company, and you've got the death of the caboose.

For the full story, check out the FRED section of the "Caboose" article on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caboose#FRE...

Answer 2

Until the 1980s, laws in the United States and Canada required that all freight trains have a caboose. Technology eventually advanced such that a caboose was unnecessary, providing improved bearings and lineside detectors to detect hot boxes, and better designed cars to avoid problems with the load. The caboose was also a dangerous place, as slack run-ins could hurl the crew from their places and even dislodge weighty equipment. With the introduction of FRED/EOTs (flashing rear-end device/end-of-train device), the caboose was no longer necessary.

A FRED/EOT could be attached to the rear of the train to detect the train's air brake pressure and report any problems back to the locomotive. The FRED/EOT also detects movement of the train upon start-up and radios this information to the engineer so that he/she will know that all of the slack is out of the couplings and additional power can now be applied. The machine also has a blinking red light to warn followers that a train is ahead. With the introduction of the FRED/EOT, the conductor moved up to the front of the train with the engineer and year by year, cabooses started to fade away. Very few cabooses remain in operation today, though they are still used for some local trains where it is convenient to have a brakeman at the end of the train to operate switches and the like.

Answer 3

cabooses were used to watch the train for problems. Today's train systems use high tech equipment and devices to monitor trains. so cabooses is dead weight need to use that extra space to haul freight

Answer 4

Years ago, railroad communications depended on someone in each train sending and receiving signals.  Also, braking, switching, and adding or removing cars depended on lots of human activity.  The 'helpers' rode in the caboose.

Now, with computerized rail systems, someone in Jacksonville, FL, (for example) can push a button and a switch is thrown on a CSX track in Pennsylvania.

So--no more need for a caboose full of people.

Answer 5

i got a caboose for you to see...