08/27/2026
Did you know the concept of a caboose was first developed by conductors as early as the 1840s?
It’s believed that the first caboose may have been created when a conductor from the Auburn & Syracuse Railroad converted a wooden boxcar into a rolling office. Over time, wooden cabooses evolved to include sturdier steel frames, porches and cupolas to observe traffic, and crew accommodations like stoves, bunks, bathrooms, and writing desks.
Built in 1936 in Hagerstown, MD, the WM No. 1803 was one of the first steel cabooses to operate on the Western Maryland Railway. In 1976, it was painted bright green and featured as part of the Chessie System’s “Safety First” program, a two-year campaign meant to emphasize the importance of accident prevention. Then, in 1982, it was renumbered as WM No. 901803 and used to promote Chessie’s “Near Miss Program.” Sporting the initiative’s motto (“Near Miss Program. Are You Doing Your Part?”), the caboose functioned as a mobile billboard for public safety. In 1994, it was retired from service and donated to the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation. In 2002, the museum repainted the caboose to sport its current red and white color scheme in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Western Maryland Railway. To learn more about Railroad Safety, join us on September 12th for our First Responders Showcase!
*Post has been updated
