Santa Fe Caboose #1323
Posted by: 
brwhiz
N 35° 23.534 W 119° 01.287
11S E 316411 N 3918417
This is one of many historical interpretive signs on the grounds of the Pioneer Village at the Kern County Museum in Bakersfield.
Waymark Code: WMJE3T
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 11/06/2013
Views: 2
Santa Fe Caboose #1323
The caboose was an office, a lookout and a home away from home for a train crew.
In the days before automatic air brakes, the engineer signaled the caboose with his whistle when he wanted to slow down or stop. A brakeman would then climb out of the caboose and make his way forward, twisting the brake wheels atop the cars with a stout club. Another brakeman riding in the engine would work his way toward the rear. Once the train stopped, the flagman would walk back to a safe distance behind the railroad cars with lanterns and flags to stop any approaching trains.
Once under way, the trainmen would sit up in the cupola of the caboose and watch for smoke or other signs of trouble.
This 1923 caboose served the Santa Fe Railroad in the southwestern states. The Santa Fe Railroad donated the caboose in 1956.