Mammoth Spring in Fulton County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Frisco Caboose 1176
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2021
1. Frisco Caboose 1176 Marker
The caboose was a home away from home for railroad men, a place as individual as the men themselves. Here the conductor and brakeman could prepare a hot meal, catch up on much needed sleep, wash off the grease and coal dust, or finish daily tasks, all while protected from the elements. From the cupola, the brakeman and the conductor could survey the entire length of the train for hazards or mechanical problems. The caboose not only provided comfort and warmth, it also provided storage for the tools and supplies of the trade. One could find oil or coal to fuel the stove, kerosene for the lamps, and an assortment of wrenches, packing bars, nuts, bolts, and railroad spikes to perform minor repairs and maintenance, to the train or track.
Cabooses are no longer used by most railroad companies. Modern technology has replaced the caboose with electronic sensors and warning devices.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.
Location. 36° 29.747′ N, 91° 31.966′ W. Marker is in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, in Fulton County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of U.S. 63 and Main Street (State Route 9), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located near the interpretive trail within Mammoth Spring
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mammoth Spring Depot (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Mammoth Spring Depot (a few steps from this marker); The Inspiration for The Grand Ole Opry (within shouting distance of this marker); What Am I Standing On? (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Development of Mammoth Spring (about 600 feet away); Arkansas-Missouri Power Company (about 600 feet away); Dam Site #1 and Mammoth Spring Milling Company (about 600 feet away); Mammoth Spring (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mammoth Spring.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Mammoth Spring State Park
Also see . . . Technology Overtakes the Caboose.
The spread in the 1880s of the automatic air brake system eliminated the need for brakemen to manually set brakes. The air brakes soon were followed by the use of electric track circuits to activate signals, providing protection for trains and eliminating the need for flagmen. Trains became longer, making it difficult for the conductor to see the entire train from the caboose,(Submitted on February 16, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)and freight cars became so high that they blocked the view from the traditional cupola. New labor agreements reduced the hours of service required for train crews and eliminated the need for cabooses as lodging. Eventually, electronic "hotbox" and dragging equipment detectors, which would check moving trains more efficiently and reliably than men in cabooses, were installed along main lines, and computers eliminated the conductors' need to store and track paperwork in the car.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 20212. Frisco Caboose 1176 Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2021
3. Frisco Caboose 1176
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2021
4. Frisco Caboose 1176
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 275 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 16, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
