Rocky Mount in Franklin County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Norfolk and Western Caboose

Class: C31P No: 518631

— Built: January, 1970 —

Norfolk and Western Caboose Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 27, 2013

1. Norfolk and Western Caboose Marker

Inscription. One in a class of 200 built by International Railway Car Company, Kenton, Ohio between December, 1968 and February, 1970. The “P” denotes pool service and meant the caboose could travel any portion of the N & W System.

Before air brakes, the caboose was one of two braking units on the train—the other was the engine. The caboose also was an office for the conductor who filled out numerous reports, a dormitory with a kitchen and toilet, and a supply area for the freight crew. The cupola provided a vantage point for the crew to spot possible trouble on the tracks or with the train.

Virginia was the last state to require a caboose at the end of a freight train. This law was repealed in 1988. Today’s freight trains are tailed by a “FRED” (Flashing Rear End Device) weighing about 35 lbs.

Restoration Project by Franklin County Historical Society Inc. in cooperation with the Town of Rocky Mount. To make a tax deductible donation, send a check to: Franklin County Historical Society, P. O. Box 905, Rocky Mount, VA 24151.

We seek
“A Fitting End for the Former End of a Train”

Erected by Franklin County Historical Society Inc. in cooperation with the Town of Rocky Mount.

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1970.

Location. 37° 0.074′ N, 79° 53.523′ W. Marker is in Rocky Mount, Virginia, in Franklin County. Marker is on Franklin Street (Virginia Route 40) just west of North Main Street (Business U.S. 220). It is at the old train depot, now the Rocky Mount Community & Hospitality Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 55 Franklin Street, Rocky Mount VA 24151, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Franklin County (here, next to this marker); Rocky Mount (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Franklin County Court (approx. 0.8 miles away); Washington Iron Works (approx. 0.9 miles away); Carolina Road (approx. 3.6 miles away); Ferrum College (approx. 3.6 miles away); Fort Blackwater (approx. 3.6 miles away); Taylor’s Store (approx. 9.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rocky Mount.

Regarding Norfolk and Western Caboose. The present railroad line through Rocky Mount was the 121 mile former Norfolk and Western branch line between Roanoke and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Three passenger traims a day in each direction once stopped at this station.

Also see . . . Norfolk and Western Historical Photograph Collection

Norfolk and Western Caboose and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 27, 2013

2. Norfolk and Western Caboose and Marker

. 10,522 images in Virginia Tech’s ImageBase. (Submitted on February 2, 2014.)

Rocky Mount Railroad Depot image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 27, 2013

3. Rocky Mount Railroad Depot

Caboose is out of frame on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 556 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 2, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.