John, in all the pictures that I have of Frisco transfer cabooses (1300 series), I see all have caboose whistles or air valves like road cabooses which also seem to have them.
Keith, Thanks for the information, which leads to my next question. What is the transfer cabooses function? Anyone can answer this question, would be mostly appreciated! John
The transfer caboose was the conductor's mobile office for transfers of cars from the Frisco to another railroad in a terminal. In the case of a reciprocal agreement with that railroad, additionally cars would be transferred back from that railroad. They also were used in transfer service between home yards in the same terminal. For example between 19th Street Yard and Rosedale Yard in Kansas City or vice versa. They generally did not travel on the road for any reason, as the accommodations were sparse.
I believe the transfer caboose is used to transfer railcars from one yard to another yard. In Ft. Smith, AR it would have been used to transfer cars to Van Buren, AR for the Missouri Pacific. Here in the Tulsa, OK area Union Pacific uses a transfer caboose from their small yard near 51st. and Garnett to Cherokee Yard near downtown Tulsa. Their main line for most of the trip runs between the Broken Arrow Freeway. It is an old Missouri Pacific transfer caboose with a lot of graffiti on the side, almost covers the Missouri Pacific emblem. A lot of times a couple of guys will be sitting on the back. Most of the railcars are boxcars, hoppers and tank cars. Joe
