A railroad caboose, in my view, is perhaps the most interesting of railway cars. In the “golden era” of railroading, the caboose had become a crew’s home away from home. It was common for a conductor to be assigned a particular caboose that became “his” caboose. And many of those conductors (perhaps aided by their brakemen) began to customize their hack to their liking. They might add things that added to their comfort, or perhaps things to make their job easier and more efficient. And many also added things to make the traveling home more like home. Today’s photograph shows a sample that includes all of these things.

The scene is the interior of Southern Pacific #684, a class C-30-1 caboose. Seated at the desk is conductor Charles Martin, busy with his paperwork. And the gentleman has done a number of things to aid his work, and increase his comfort. The Venetian blinds will certainly aid in keeping the glare from his eyes as he works. And the lamps aren’t likely to be railroad issue. Most obviously is his chair. I’m quite sure it’s also not railroad issue, with its nice, thick cushions. Note the glass telegraph insulators on the leg tips. I had never seen a detail like that, and I first thought perhaps they were to help keep the chair from sliding. So I searched for an answer and found two. A lot of folks say this was commonplace on telegrapher’s chairs; that it protected them from electrical shock if a bolt of lightning hit the telegraph lines while the agent had his hand on the key. A few others claimed that these glass insulators made the chair slide much easier on rough wooden floors (exactly opposite of my speculation). I’m prone to buy into the latter explanation since the conductor doesn’t have a telegrapher’s key. You know better? . . . then please share with us!

When I saw this image I thought it might be from photographer Jack Delano, who had a similar “style” in his photography. But this image was recorded by Stan Kistler. The photo is undated, but I believe it to be in the 1950s. I’ve heard Mr. Kistler’s name before, and I’m encouraged to look further into his work as I’m liking what I’m seeing here.