Caboose

Here is an image taken of ARR caboose 1023 in May 1987, about a year after I returned to Seattle from Alaska. This picture was taken at the small BN (NP) yard just north of S. Horton St. - Seattle, Washington. In this picture of the 1023 the symbol MWC is painted on the lower right hand corner of the caboose. This is where the railroad traditionally applied the ARR Mechanical Designation. An MWC is a Caboose or Tool Car. Similar to tool car, but having one end fitted up as a caboose, with bunks, stove and water storage, with or without lookout, and is used either in work or wrecking trains. In other words, not in freight service.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan C. Fischer