This caboose has access to the inside. It is air conditioned which makes a nice break on a hot Savannah day. There are kids' tables set up with crayons and toys.
The information sheet on the M-5 reads:
"Atlantic Coast Line M-5 Caboose
Despite their popularity as an icon of railroading to many, cabooses have largely disappeared from mainline train service. Advances in technology changed the duties of the crewmen aboard the caboose.
The brakeman would sit in the cupola and watch the train for any problems. One common problem was the "hot box," which occurred when packing material in a wheel's journal box would ignite and start to smoke. The smoke alerted the brakeman that the axle was overheating and the train would be stopped to correct the problem. When railroads started using roller bearings for the wheels, the role of the brakeman was diminished. Soon the caboose was replaced with an electronic End-of-Train Device of F.R.E.D. (Flashing Rear End Detector), which could monitor the air pressure of the brake system and the wheels. The use of electronic devices meant the caboose no longer was the "grand finale" for train watchers.
Donated by Marilyn Gracious"
The information sheet on one of the other cabooses reads:
"Contrary to popular opinion, the caboose was not a place for crewmen to sleep. In fact, the caboose served as the "office" for the freight train. It was here that the conductor maintained the list of cars in the train as well as other important information.
Most conductors were fastidious individuals and their cabooses reflected that. It was a source of pride to have a clean caboose.
The role of the conductor has shifted in recent years with the increased use of technology. Computers help maintain the list of cars and the conductor rides in the locomotive cab, relegating the caboose to near extinction."
The museum is located at 601 W Harris St in Savannah, GA.
Admission is $4.25 for Adults, $3.75 for Military, seniors 55 and
up, students with ID, AAA, current and former railroad workers, and
Free for Children Under 6 free with parent or guardian. Hours are
9:00AM-5:00PM daily.
From the Coastal Heritage Society web
site:
The Central Railroad and Canal Company was chartered in 1833. The
purpose of the railroad was to bring products of Georgia to
Savannah for export, especially cotton. The idea of a canal was
soon dismissed, but the railroad grew rapidly. Two years later,
this facility was built for the construction and maintenance of the
growing fleet of steam locomotives and rail cars. By 1843, the
Central Railroad & Banking Company of Georgia had constructed
190 miles of rail forming the longest continuous railroad under one
management in the world. The Central also increased their rolling
stock to over 50 locomotives and 500 cars, making it the second
largest holding in the pre-civil war South.
Sherman's soldiers destroyed the Central's rail connectors by
heating rails on fires and wrapping the links around trees or
telegraph poles. "Sherman's neckties," as they were called, were
irreparable in the field. Sherman spared the Roundhouse itself and
other shops with the rest of the city.
William Wadley became president of the railroad in 1866 and
rebuilt the shattered company to surpass its original glory. The
destroyed rail connections were replaced and almost 1500 new miles
added. The Central continued to expand and purchased the fastest
train in the country, the Nancy Hanks, in 1893. In 1895, the
railroad was purchased by bankers and became the Central of Georgia
Railway.
The Railroad reached its peak in the early 1920s and was the
largest employer in the area. During the Depression, the railway
went into receivership but continued operations as a leading
employer. The shops began servicing the newer diesel locomotives in
the late 40s, but the Roundhouse was not optimally suited to diesel
service. Most of the diesel repair work was soon sent to the newer
Macon shops. In 1963, the Southern Railway purchased the Central
and the shops were closed. After years of neglect, demolition began
but was halted by a citizens group and the title was transferred to
the City of Savannah. The long-abandoned site came under the
management of Coastal Heritage Society in 1989 with major support
from the City of Savannah. The structures are currently being
restored to use as a museum and to develop a functional restoration
shop for historic railroad rolling stock. Plans include restoration
of the track to the old passenger depot and providing shuttle
transportation to visitors.