Caboose No. 102

In February 1937, the RV purchased a caboose for $948 from the Delaware, Lackawanna, & Western Railroad. The caboose had been constructed in 1914 at the DL&W’s Keyser Valley Shops in Scranton, Pennsylvania as No. 613 (series Nos. 600-619), DL&W drawings V6216 and X6217. The RV numbered it No. 102, falling in line with the two Kelly-Springfield buses. The caboose was normally used in poor weather and cold weather months. Crews originally kept the caboose at the rear of the train but soon found it entirely too inconvenient. Thereafter, the caboose remained coupled to the locomotive tender. Carl Nees fitted No. 102 with running lights, salvaged from an old Buick abandoned behind the Kenilworth Station, for night running. The lights were powered by an extension cord from the locomotive. No. 102 was painted red with green trim windows, green doors, and silver lettering. In November 1950, the caboose was repainted and it received its signature yellow cupola. The caboose was burned at Kenilworth on February 27, 1964. The remains of the car were junked on July 9, 1964 and sold for scrap.

CABOOSE SPECIFICATIONS:

Construction: Steel frame, wood and steel superstructure

Length: 25'-0" over end sills, 30'-7" long over buffers.

Wheelbase: 22'-8"

Width: 9'-7" wide over steps

Height: 13'-9-7/8" high from top of rail to top of cupola roof.

Light Weight of Car: 43,400 lbs.

Weight of Trucks & Steel Underframe: 32,952 lbs.

Weight of Wood & Steel Frame Superstructure: 10,448 lbs.