What was the side door on Illinois Central cabooses used for? It only looks to be maybe 2 x 4 feet and is up high. If you google Illinois Central 9792 you can see the one at Union Railroad Museum in Illinois.
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@Dave Ripp. posted:What was the side door on Illinois Central cabooses used for? It only looks to be maybe 2 x 4 feet and is up high. If you google Illinois Central 9792 you can see the one at Union Railroad Museum in Illinois.
The IC did not want crew members hanging off the caboose steps, in order to pick up train orders. Thus, the side-door, prevented them from possibly falling off the caboose, while "grabbing train orders".
Thank you.
The side door was outlawed (don't know the precise reason) in the state of Iowa, so IC had cabooses without the side door for service in Iowa.
Rusty
