C-3161 (Chessie System / C&O), 1968
Builder : International Car Company, Kenton OH (extended-vision cupola design)
Type : Extended-vision cupola caboose (steel construction)
Classification : Non-revenue caboose car (AAR Type M930 or similar)
Original Use : Rear-end car on freight trains, serving as mobile office, lookout post, and crew quarters for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway under Chessie System branding.
This extended-vision cupola caboose, originally built in 1968 for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway (C&O), represents a key era in American railroading when cabooses served as vital mobile offices, living quarters, and observation posts for train crews at the rear of freight trains.
Build and Early Service
- Builder and Date: Constructed in 1968 by the International Car Company in Kenton OH, featuring the extended-vision cupola for superior visibility over the train.
- Class and Specifications: Steel-bodied caboose with cupola windows on all sides, equipped with bunks, stove, desk, and other crew amenities typical of late-1960s designs.
- Original Owner and Role: Delivered new to the C&O for mainline and branchline freight service, monitoring train integrity and providing crew facilities in the industrial Midwest.
Service Life and Retirement
- Chessie System Era (1973–1986): Following the 1973 formation of the Chessie System (uniting C&O, B&O, and Western Maryland), C-3161 was repainted in the striking yellow Chessie System scheme with the iconic “Chessie” cat logo, blue lettering, and vermillion accents—symbolizing safety and comfort.
- CSX Era (1986 onward): After the 1986 creation of CSX Transportation, the caboose was renumbered 903161 and continued in service in local switching runs in the Toledo, Ohio area, where it was observed as late as the mid-2010s.
- Post-Retirement Use: Phased out with the widespread adoption of end-of-train devices (EOTDs) in the 1980s–1990s, which replaced traditional cabooses for monitoring and braking functions.
Preservation and Current Ownership
- Acquisition by TLE&W: In 2018, CSX Transportation generously donated C-3161 to our museum, recognizing our dedication to preserving regional rail history and the caboose’s ties to Northwest Ohio operations.
- Current Location and Status: Displayed at our facility in Grand Rapids, Ohio, where it remains structurally sound despite weathering from decades of service. It is a highlight for visitors during open houses and events, with ongoing volunteer efforts to maintain and potentially restore its appearance. See our interactive map for location details.
- This caboose symbolizes a golden age of railroading and the transition to modern freight operations.
Specifications
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Builder | International Car Company, Kenton OH |
| Built | 1968 |
| Original Number | 3161 (C&O) |
| Later Numbers | C&O C-3161 (Chessie era, CO 903161 (after 1987 CSX merger) |
| Type | Extended-vision cupola caboose (steel construction) |
| Design | Center cupola with extended windows on all sides for improved visibility |
| Class | Not specified (late C&O cupola caboose, non-revenue AAR Type M930 equivalent) |
| Features | Cupola observation post, bunks, stove, desk, other crew amenities; marker lights (assumed standard) |
| Trucks | Not specified (likely roller-bearing, 70-ton or similar for era) |
| Service History | Rear-end car on freight trains (mainline and branchline); C&O, then Chessie System (1973–1986), CSX (local switching in Toledo, Ohio area until mid-2010s) |
| Retirement | Phased out mid-2010s with adoption of end-of-train devices (EOTDs/FREDs) |
| Acquisition | Donated by CSX Transportation in 2018 |
| Status | On outdoor static display at TLE&W facility, Grand Rapids, Ohio; structurally sound with ongoing maintenance |
| Paint Scheme | Chessie System yellow with “Chessie” cat logo, blue lettering, vermillion accents (retained from Chessie era) |
Collection Details
Preserved in the Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway and Museum outdoor collection