
Heading west in the vestibule aboard VIA No 1 in 1985, we passed a somewhat unique CP van, the "loose caboose" in Niblock siding. CP 437188 was a regular CP van in most respects, but it housed a train order office complete with roof-mounted train order board. Used to control train movements on this double-track mainline, where no other station existed, it could be set out in any siding. The operator was out to give us an inspection as we passed. The location of the loose caboose is given in train order 855:

A few minutes later, we met a resurfacing gang at English River. They were refuelling their tamper, as they worked at tamping new ballast into the roadbed. We then met an eastbound with 3 units behind engine 5992. The gang's 25 boarding cars were in the clear at Martin.

Another mobile train order office was housed in boarding boxcar CP 412592, on the Ignace Sub:

RTCDave shared some of his experiences working as an operator in CP 437188:
"There was no light for inspections, just your lantern and the light from inside the van, which was a Coleman lantern. We used a "lunchbox" radio hooked up to the skate antenna on the roof, to communicate with the dispatcher in Winnipeg. The day guy opened up at around 0500 until noon, and I took over at noon until relieved before by the dispatcher. Usually before dark, as the gangs would return to the bunk cars which were situated across from us. The gang cars had a cook who would also make sure we got fed too. We could also raid the stores cars for supplies: bacon, eggs, bread and coffee. We always had the coffee pot on, and many of the trains would stop to pick up their 19Y orders and a cup of Kam Koffee."
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Running extra...
Did you know there's a Track Side liquor store in Medicine Hat, Alberta. If you're ever in Geneseo, Illinois, stop by Trackside Liquors. In Kingston we have a trackside Tim Horton's beside CN's right-of-way fence in Collins Bay, with the following sign taped to the drive-through speaker "In case of train, pull up to the window to place order".
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Our recent blog poll showed about 60% of respondents would like to see an occasional modelling post. Maybe my HO scale Winnipeg Terminals will make an appearance soon.