Cedar City in Iron County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Caboose

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2016

1. The Caboose Marker

Inscription. The caboose provided the train crew with shelter and working space while they threw switches and inspected for problems such as shifting loads, overheated axle bearings, and dragging equipment. The conductor used the caboose for filling out various forms and reports. On longer trips, the caboose provided living quarters. Caboose 4618 was manufactured by Pacific Car and Foundry in 1978 and delivered to Southern Pacific. In its heyday, Southern Pacific operated nearly 14,000 miles of track covering various routes stretching from Tennessee to California.

The body of Caboose 4618 was painted in mineral red with the bay window ends and the end walls in daylight orange, both traditional Southern Pacific colors. Cabooses in the SP system were designated C-XX-X. The "C" stood for caboose, the "XX" denoted the axle load in tons, and the final "X" represented the class, type, or design. Caboose 4618 is a C-50-7. Power for the caboose was provided by a small electrical generator mounted on the lead truck.

This caboose was purchased from a California rail yard in 2005 by George Lutterman. In April 2013 it was donated to Frontier Homestead State Park and moved in partnership with Iron County, Union Pacific, Construction Steel, Inc., and Gilbert Development, Inc.

(photo captions)
• Moving the Caboose to Frontier

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Homestead, April 2013
• Trains leaving Cedar City Depot, circa 1929
• President Harding inaugurates the Cedar City rail line, 1923

Erected by Frontier Homestead State Park Museum.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #29 Warren G. Harding series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1978.

Location. 37° 41.334′ N, 113° 3.728′ W. Marker is in Cedar City, Utah, in Iron County. Marker is on North Main Street (Utah Route 130) south of Iron Mission Parkway (West 685 North), on the right when traveling south. Marker is located within Frontier Homestead State Park, on the south side of the Southern Pacific Caboose exhibit, near the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 635 North Main Street, Cedar City UT 84721, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Ore Shovel (a few steps from this marker); Legacies of Iron County (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hay Derrick (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Cedar City's Iron Heritage (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cedar City Historic Pioneer Cemetery Wall

The Caboose Marker (<i>wide view looking north; North Main Street on right</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2016

2. The Caboose Marker (wide view looking north; North Main Street on right)

(about 700 feet away); Deseret Iron Works (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pioneer Iron Works Blast Furnace (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cedar City.

More about this marker. Marker is a painted metal plaque, mounted horizontally on a waist-high metal post.

Regarding The Caboose. The caboose was used by the train crew such as brakemen who monitor brake line air pressure, flagmen who perform lookout functions, and conductors doing paperwork. The caboose can also be used to store tools for repairs en route. Today, many of these activities have been taken over by computers and other forms of technology. The modernization of trains is moving ahead and leaving the caboose behind. In the future you may only see this car at museums like Frontier Homestead. (from interpretive panel inside the caboose)

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Frontier Homestead State Park Museum

Southern Pacific Caboose 4618 interior:<br>Desk & Chair image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2016

3. Southern Pacific Caboose 4618 interior:
Desk & Chair

Southern Pacific Caboose 4618 interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2016

4. Southern Pacific Caboose 4618 interior

Southern Pacific Caboose 4618 interior: Railroad Slang Interpretive Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2016

5. Southern Pacific Caboose 4618 interior: Railroad Slang Interpretive Panel

• BAKE HEAD or TALLOW POT — a fireman
• BEND THE IRON — to throw a switch on the track
• CAPTAIN or SKIPPER — a conductor
• CROW'S NEST — the raised center of the caboose
• CRUMMY or MONKEY HOUSE — the caboose
• CUSHIONS — the passenger cars
• GATE — a track switch
• GARDEN — the freight yard
• GO INTO THE HOLE — to take a train onto a side track
• GOAT — a small yard engine
• HIGH IRON or MAIN STEM — main track
• HIGH BALLING — a high speed train
• HOG — a locomotive
• HOGGER or EAGLE EYE — the engineer
• RATTLER — a freight train
• RINGMASTER — the train coordinator or yardmaster
• SHACKS — the brakeman
• SIDE-DOOR PULLMAN — a freight car

Southern Pacific Caboose #4618 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2016

6. Southern Pacific Caboose #4618

Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 568 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 4, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.