592 & 518 Running Light w/ Caboose 86

[klrwhizkid]

Some weekend in the summer of 1961, our family was enjoying a picnic at Trail of Tears State Park upriver from Cape Girardeau, Mo and my father just caught the following picture of SLSF 592 and 518 southbound with caboose SLSF 86.

[bob_wintle]

Interesting photo. I wonder why there were crew in both locomotives. Did those cabooses ride rough?
Bob Wintle

[klrwhizkid]

I showed the picture to my brother's buddy, who was an engineer at that time, and he said that if they were running light and at speed, the other crew members would rather ride in an engine; there was no welded rail and that particular series of cabooses were not known for their ride.