Everywhere West

Caboose, originally uploaded by William 74.

This is a scene that could have been taken anywhere in the country at one time. A clear sky, a caboose, and a semaphore signal waving goodbye. You can almost hear the chuffing of a steam engine, the call of the conductor, and the clacking of the wheels.

Today, semaphore signals have been superseded by electronic lights and radio, and cabooses seldom turn up outside of rail yards. This particular pair is in Mendota, Illinois, parked in front of the Union Depot Railroad Museum. The museum is a former Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy depot, and still sees service with Amtrak.