FW&D caboose #107 (ex-Chicago, Burlington & Quincy #14118, exx-Burlington & Missouri River [a CB&Q subsidiary] #21) is an example of a cupola caboose constructed of wood. It is a CB&Q class NE1. It was built in 1880 (the earliest date found on any of the castings when the caboose was rebuilt in the early 1980's was 1898) and is the oldest rail car in the Museum's collection. Note the initials CB&Q cast into the sideframes of the trucks. Also note that part of the sideframes are made of wood.

Enter the caboose from the B, or cupola end. As you stand on the wooden porch, you will see the hand brake wheel on top of a vertical brake shaft, and the ladder for access to the roof. You will also see a handle on a vertical pipe. This is the air brake release valve.

Inside the caboose, on your left, is the door to the toilet. Look inside and note that the toilet is a simple tapered pipe that opens onto the roadbed - a very good reason not to be standing by the tracks when a caboose went by. To the right is a clothes closet. Next on both sides are storage cabinets. The slanted bin on the right held coal for the stove. Above your head in this area are the cupola seats, which face both front and back. The handle by the seats on the right side is for the air brake. The conductor could use this handle in emergencies to dump air from the brake system and stop the train. The gauge on the wall above your head told the conductor how much air pressure was getting to the back of the train. The side facing cupola windows both slide toward the back.

Next you enter the main part of the caboose. To the left is a seat and small work table; there is storage area beneath the seat. On the wall above is a compartmented box that was used for holding paperwork. To the right is a cast iron stove with a 1905 patent date. The stove pipe goes through the roof and connects with a chimney just ahead of the cupola. Next on both sides of the caboose are bunks, all of which are hinged at the wall. The bunks lift up and reveal storage spaces. To the left of the door on the A end is an ice box lined with galvanized tin. As you exit onto the porch you will note a roof access ladder and a brake wheel. The chain is connected to the coupler pin and can be used to uncouple the caboose from a train while the brakeman is standing on the porch.

The FW&D markings and number were chosen by Joe Bailey when the caboose was restored, and as far as can be determined, this caboose never ran on the FW&D. An archival photo shows this caboose to be CB&Q 14118. During recent restoration, the inside B end was found to have a coat of yellow paint, typical of the Burlington when it was still running cabooses. The Burlington sold this caboose to the Oregon, Pacific & Eastern Railway in 1975 and this date was the latest date of journal repacking. The Museum purchased it in 1978 from the Oregon, Pacific & Eastern Railway. The brown exterior paint is typical for FW&D cabooses. 

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