Sunrise Retirement in Lenexa in Johnson County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Burlington Northern Caboose: Control Center & Home
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 21, 2026
1. The Burlington Northern Caboose: Control Center & Home Marker
A two-person crew watched the movements and operations of the train from the caboose. One was a brakeman and the other a conductor. The caboose also served as the living space for the workers. It had a small kitchen with a stove, restroom, heater and bunk beds.
The invention of electronic detectors changed the way engineers received information at the front of the train. The crew at the back of the train was no longer needed. Train companies started removing cabooses from their trains in the 1980s. This caboose was retired from Burlington-Northern Railroad Company and donated to the Lenexa Historical Society in 1984.
Did you know…
Did you know this caboose was originally red in color?
Erected by Lenexa Historical Museum and Lenexa Parks & Recreation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1984.
Location. 38° 58.213′ N, 94° 45.57′ W. Marker is in Lenexa, Kansas, in Johnson County. It is in Sunrise Retirement. It is on West 87th Street east of Lackman Road. Marker is located at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Touch for map. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas and specifically in Greater Kansas City. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, on the Southern Plains, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wait Station: Connecting Suburbs (here, next to this marker); Lenexa Railroad Depot: Spurs Growth (a few steps from this marker); Depot Operations & Layout (a few steps from this marker); Legler Barn: A Lasting Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Gardens: A Way to Survive (within shouting distance of this marker); Bandstands: Bringing the Community Together (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rose Family (approx. ¼ mile away); Lenexa Rolling Magic Skate Park (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 21, 2026
2. The Burlington Northern Caboose: Control Center & Home Marker
Marker is in front of the caboose
Also see . . . Lenexa Historical Society. (Submitted on September 28, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 28, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
