Burlington Waycar #14584

Burlington Waycar #14584. . Rolling down the tracks, miles away from home, traveling the country, working the rails. , , Many of the railroads called the car at the end of their trains a caboose. The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (CB&Q or Burlington) instead used the term "waycar." This is likely the shortening of "Way Freight Rider Cars" that were used by the train crew. This waycar was built in 1881 in Aurora, Illinois. , , The waycar was developed as a vehicle to carry the crew who operated the trains. Waycars allowed the crew to work effectively as they traveled many hours up and down the train lines. They had deep benches for sitting and sleeping, a stove for heating and cooking, a sink, a toilet, and more. It was their responsibility to give a warning about trouble with the freight cars and to stop the train using hand brakes, since they had increased visibility from their vantage point in the upper-level cupola. A desk was included for the train conductor to work on his train logs and records. At one time, waycars were permanently assigned to a specific conductor who made the car his home on wheels. , , The Lisle Park District brought this car to the museum campus in 1998. All the original interior items were missing because the waycar had been used as a modern office. Lisle Heritage Society members have made reproductions of some original components.