Sodor Line Cabooses

The Sodor Line Caboose (also known as the Sodor Line Carriage) can be found on the North Western Railway. A caboose is the North American equivalent of a brake van.

The caboose is a manned piece of rolling stock that is usually coupled at the end of a goods train. Each caboose is equipped with a strong brake to assist with slowing and stopping the train. From here, the conductor can keep an eye on the train in case of any problems. It also contains a living space for the crew.

Personality
Despite not being depicted with a face, the Wooden Railway character card description refers to the Sodor Line Caboose as a sentient male character. His character card reads "Like all cabooses, the Sodor Line Caboose rides behind the other engines, bringing up the rear. Although he is never in the spotlight like Thomas and his friends, he is no less important".

Basis
The Sodor Line Caboose is based on a North American railroad caboose modified with screw-link couplings and buffers. In particular, it is based on a four-wheeled type, also known as a "Bobber Caboose". Bruno from All Engines Go is also inspired by North American cabooses, however with eight wheels rather than four like the Sodor Line Caboose has.

Livery
The Sodor Line Cabooses are painted red with black frames and white lettering reading "SODOR LINE" on its sides. They also have black roofs, grey chassis and orange doors.

The merchandise ranges have also depicted cabooses in yellow, blue and brown liveries.

Appearances
Other Media=

Books

 * 2006 - Lift-the-Flap Freight
 * 2015 - Ride the Rails with Thomas
 * 2016 - Thomas Counts on Christmas

Trivia

 * Despite the American railway term for brake vans being cabooses, the US dub of the television series only referred to them as such in three episodes and one song in a feature-length special.
 * A Bachmann North American Bobber caboose made cameo appearance in the 2015 film Ant-Man. It is lettered "Denver & Rio Grande Railway No. 49".
 * The real Denver & Rio Grande Railway Caboose No. 49 was built by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1881 and can be found on display at the Colorado Railroad Museum while recently restored to its 1880s appearance.
 * Until the 1980s, laws in the United States and Canada required all freight trains to have a caboose and a full crew, for safety. Technology eventually advanced to a point where the railroads, in an effort to save money by reducing crew members, stated that cabooses were unnecessary.
 * One of the Floaty balloons from an All Engines Go episode Nia's Balloon Blunder used for the train parade is also based on Bobber Caboose.

Merchandise

 * Wooden Railway
 * Take Along
 * Take-n-Play
 * Lionel Trains