Why no Caboose/guardvan in US???

[aardvark1]

Hi Woody,

Happy New Year to you and family.

I too remember caboose, just like Euphod.

Remember this.... 1 caboose or guard van can be replaced with a rail car that carries cash and profit generating freight.

That may be the true reason for their demise in the USA rail system.

Have fun,
Ron

 

[illinoiscentral]

Thanks for that Ron, I had not thought of it that way before. Valid point however.
That's also 2-4 less employees they have to pay as well...
Happy New Year to you as well!

Cheers,
Woody

 

[sravan]

Hi Illinoiscentral, yeah we got trains in india from british, after independence in 1947, they are nationalised in 1951.actually i remember some steam locos are imported from Baldwin loco company USA
here is the link
http://www.irfca.org/gallery/fc/img074.jpg.html

 

[cascaderailroad]

Besides cost cutting jobs, and eliminating job descriptions altogether, ie: fireman, brakeman, rear end conductor, ... etc ... etc ... It also has cut down on rear end fatalities and injuries, as the employees and their redundant job titles aren't there anymore. Replaced by an electronc device: EOTT, FRED

 

[ruddigore]

lack of cabooses

I think most replies are begging the question. If you model anything pre 1980 the a caboose is almost a necessity since almost all trains had them. Besides they make swithing/shunting so much more fun as youv'e got to keep the caboose out of the way while moving cars into/out of the train.

history must be retained :hehe:

 

[cascaderailroad]

History

Anybody remember the "PRR Poling Car" ?

 

[nzms]

In New Zealand we removed our caboose (or as they are called here "Guard Vans") in the late 1980s during the downscaling of the rail network. Guard Vans are now only used on the Tranz Scenic and Tranz Metro services for luggage. Now most of the work is done by the enginners with there only being a Guard (or conductor) on the passenger services. Must get pretty lonely for the freight train drivers.

nzms

 

[mrngorickets]

Hi,

Thanks very much for this comment. It help me to think about my ideals.

Tks again and pls keep posting.

If you want to get more materials that related to this topic, you can visit: Railroad conductor job description

Best regards.

 

[captainkman]

I think Australia uses them, because on certain journeys, there isn't a single town or facility for 2000 miles. I think it looks like a passenger car, and is located close to the engines. I also think that they bring along extra fuel tanks just in case.

I live in Queensland, and have never seen a brake/guards van on any trains. Even the 41-car coal trains we have don't have a brake van.

The only guard's compartments I have seen are the ones built into coaches.

Wish I had an answer!

 

[Railwayz]

I live in Queensland, and have never seen a brake/guards van on any trains. Even the 41-car coal trains we have don't have a brake van.

The only guard's compartments I have seen are the ones built into coaches.

Wish I had an answer!

Most of the (then) government systems here in Australia removed the Guards van from the rear of goods trains during the very turbulent 1980's. Here in New South Wales we had ours taken off in 1985 and I think Queensland was slightly in front of us by a year or so.

A large part of the motivation was purely financial as the Guard at the rear didn't have a whole lot to do between stations or sidings and the fireman on the loco did even less. It was one of the first major moves toward dragging the railways from the steam era and into the modern era if they were to compete with trucks.

Despite predictions of doom I'd have to say that the removal of the Guards van has been pretty successful with no greater number of accidents than before the removal. Mind you it sometimes would make shunting a lot easier if there was a place to ride on the rear of the train when it is shunting backward.

This crazy idea of having to walk behind the train when shunting is not very practical or safe.

As for reducing the crew down to Driver only well let me say that being by yourself for eight hours is not necessarily the worst thing that can happen to you.

Railwayz