Illinois central 9831

Built: 1941
Builder: Illinois Central Railroad
Type: Side Door Cupola Caboose
Status: Operational

Built using the frame of an old gondola car at the Illinois Central’s famed Centralia Car Shops in Centralia, Illinois, caboose No. 9831 worked all over the Illinois Central’s system until the early 1970s when it came to the museum. It is currently our primary caboose used on museum excursion trains.

Illinois Central 9926

Built: 1950
Builder: Illinois Central Railroad
Type: Side Door Cupola Caboose
Status: Operational

Very similar to No. 9831, this caboose was also built at the Centralia Car Shops using the frame of a freight car. This caboose is privately owned, and is usually used on the replica freight train we operate at our Railroad Days event each year.

Illinois Terminal 806

Built: 1924
Builder: Illinois Terminal Railroad
Type: Transfer Caboose
Status: Operational

Built out of a retired boxcar at the Illinois Terminal’s shops in Decatur, Illinois, caboose No. 806 is a “transfer caboose,” meaning it was designed for short distance switching and local runs. It has two large platforms and bay windows for increased visibility.

Wabash 2824

Built: 1949
Builder: Wabash Railroad
Type: Cupola Caboose
Status: Display

This caboose was built at the Wabash Railroad’s massive shop complex in Decatur, Illinois. It has been restored both inside and out and has several exhibits inside. It is usually displayed at the Nelson Crossing depot.

wabash 2834

Built: 1949
Builder: Wabash Railroad
Type: Cupola Caboose
Status: In storage

A sister caboose to No. 2824, the 2834 was also built in Decatur, Illinois, and was used for years on excursion trains at the museum. It is currently out of service due to excess wear in truck components.

Baltimore & Ohio CHICAGO TERMINAL C1735

Built: 1910
Builder: Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
Type: Bobber Caboose
Status: Display

Recently restored, this unusual two axle “bobber” caboose was built by the Baltimore & Ohio for use as a transfer caboose, similar to Illinois Terminal No. 806 above.

Norfolk & Western 500836

Built: 1943
Builder: Pittsburg & West Virginia Railroad
Type: Cupola Caboose
Status: Display

This caboose was built from a kit offered by the Bethlehem Steel Company. It is currently painted for the Norfolk & Western Railroad and is usually on display in the museum’s Camp Creek Yard.

Norfolk & Western 555047

Built: 1976
Builder: International Car Company
Type: Cupola Caboose
Status: Operational

Norfolk & Western (N&W) No. 555047 is an example of a modern cupola caboose. Acquired from N&W successor Norfolk Southern, this caboose is operational and occasionally used on our excursion trains.

Norfolk & Western 557530

Built: 1960
Builder: Nickel Plate Road
Type: Bay Window Caboose
Status: In storage

Norfolk & Western No. 557530 was built as Nickel Plate Road No. 530 in 1960. Bay window cabooses offer better visibility for train crews than cupola cabooses. This caboose is currently in storage in the museum’s Camp Creek Yard.

Northern Pacific 1879

Built: 1909
Builder: Unknown
Type: Cupola Caboose
Status: Operational

This wooden caboose spent its career operating all over the Northern Pacific Railroad, primarily in the Pacific Northwest region. It later served on the Burlington Northern before coming to the museum.

Chicago Burlington & Quincy 14042

Built: 1891
Builder: Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
Type: Cupola Caboose
Status: Restoration

Caboose No. 14042 was built by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy in their Aurora, Illinois shops. This caboose had extra seats and a baggage compartment, allowing it to function as a passenger car when needed.

Pennsylvania 477692

Built: 1917
Builder: Unknown
Type: Cupola Caboose
Status: Storage

This caboose was preserved and displayed at a private residence for many years after its railroad service had ended. It was acquired by the museum in 2017, and is currently in storage awaiting restoration.

Illinois Central 9365

Built: 1972
Builder: Illinois Central Railroad
Type: Wide Vision Cupola Caboose
Status: Display

Caboose No. 9365 is currently on display at our Paxton, Illinois freight house. It was built by the Illinois Central at their Centralia Car Shops to replace older cabooses like the museum’s No. 9831 and No. 9926.

Illinois central 9570

Built: 1969
Builder: Illinois Central Railroad
Type: Wide Vision Cupola Caboose
Status: Display

Caboose No. 9570 is a sister to No. 9365. Both cabooses are “wide vision” cars, meaning the cupola extends out to the side for increased visibility for the caboose’s occupants. The 9570 is privately owned.

Gulf, Mobile & Ohio 2954

Built: 1968
Builder: International Car Company
Type: Wide Vision Cupola Caboose
Status: Display

Gulf, Mobile & Ohio (GM&O) No. 2954 is also a wide vision caboose. Used all over the GM&O and successor Illinois Central Gulf, this caboose is privately owned and currently displayed near the entrance to the museum’s Camp Creek Yard.

Soo line 99100

Built: 1910
Builder: American Car & Foundry Company
Type: Cupola Caboose
Status: Storage

This wooden caboose was built for the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie (also known as the Soo Line) Railroad. It is privately owned and currently in storage at the museum’s Camp Creek Yard.

Baltimore & Ohio C2210

Built: 1929
Builder: Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
Type: Cupola Caboose
Status: Storage

Baltimore & Ohio C2210 is also privately owned. It was among the last wooden cabooses in regular use in America, and is currently in storage at the museum’s Camp Creek Yard.