Transfer cabooses were used for cross-town hops between yards. In the post-caboose era they have been used as “shoving platforms” providing a place for the brakeman or conductor to ride and be the engineer’s eyes during long backup moves. They did not have cupolas or bay windows, cots or amenities. In fact many didn’t have electricity. Most were built in the railroad’s own shops.

Amtrak Transfer Cabooses. Amtrak became a major owner of right-of-way during the organizing of Conrail. Passenger traffic was king on Penn Central’s “Northeast Corridor” between Washington D.C. and Boston so turning over ownership of the line to Amtrak seemed to be the best solution. With that, Amtrak assembled a sizeable fleet of maintenence-of-way equipment, including cabooses. Transfer cabooses in the late 60s and early 70s, they built 20 for the IHB. They were built with Century green paint. This black and orange scheme was adopted in 1983.

All Bluford Shops cabooses come ready-to-run with magnetically operating knuckle style couplers, metal detail parts and, roller bearing caboose style leaf spring trucks except where noted. Axel generators and screen window frames will be included in the package.    

Expected Release: July 2012