Cabooses

I do not know much about the early cabooses of the Danville & Western or it's predecessors. The ICC Valuation shows two, D(or possibly B)-202 and D-204. The only information shown is that they were 34' long, had 8 wheels, and wooden bodies and undferframes. No cabooses are shown in the 1917 Official Equipment Register. It is possible that they were built out of the same 34' box cars which served the D&W as MOW and camp cars at the time.

I have photographs of two D&W cabooses, X302 and X304. Both were probably painted bright red with black roofs and underframes and white lettering.

X302 was a former Southern Ry. center coupola wooden caboose. I have not yet determined what the original road number or build date were, or when it was acquired by the D&W.

There is a note on the photo indicating that the middle person was Edward Martin, Conductor. I have not yet figured out where this photo was taken.

This photo was taken in Danvill, VA, ca. 1940.

X304 was built in 1917 by the Hocking Valley RR, and purchased by the D&W in 1937 from the C&O.

D&W caboose X304 in Danville, VA — One of several photographs of X304. All photographs that I have seen show the same side of the caboose.