Question:

Why is a train caboose always painted red?

by Guest64964  |  earlier

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Why is a train caboose always painted red?

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  1. here  i hope this helps...my dad worked on the railroad all his life and he would certainly know the answer...and i am sure he told me at one point in his life ...but your question is a great question!!!!


  2. So you know it is the end

  3. The red caboose came about as a suggestion by the USRA (United States Railroad Association) in the mid 1930's.  This was to improve visibility of the rear of the train. Trains of the early 20th century did more moves running backwards than they do now so cabooses were painted bright red and included brake controls, lights and a warning whistle. Before the 30's most cabooses were painted the same dull red as boxcars or whatever color the railroad wanted. During the late 30's and early 40's most railroads went to the bright red. In the early and mid 60's you saw more colors on cabooses. Blues and yellows to go with the reds but they were almost always bright colors. One of the cabooses I am rebuilding (a B&O I-5) started in 1927 as dark brown was painted caboose red in 1940 and changed to yellow and blue in the 70's .Cabooses began to be removed from most railroads in the 1970's and few are left today.

  4. So it can be seen in the fog

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