How do I move a caboose and what does it cost?

These are some of the most commonly asked questions we receive and unfortunately there is not a simple answer. We have broken down the explanations for the type of car.

Cabooses Built Of Wood

If the car is built of wood, right away you can assume the car will need to be moved by truck or house mover. Cars built of wood do not meet current federal safety standards for shipping on the nations railroads. Shipping is all based on mileage and the first thing you need to do is find out where the car is and where your going with it. It is our policy to release basic geographic locations on the equipment we have for sale. If you would like to know the exact location you will need to submit our Buyers Agency Agreement (our confidentiality agreement). Once we have you on file we can release exact locations, schedule inspections and accept offers on any of the items we have for sale. When shipping by truck you can expect costs to start at $5,000. There will also be crane cost at the origin and destination. Crane cost will depend on how far the crane must travel to where the caboose is located and if the crane company is in a rural or metropolitan area. If your putting the caboose in city limits be sure to check with your municipality regarding zoning. Some municipalities don't know if a caboose would be a free standing structure or a building addition. In the past once city even thought of the car as an RV. If your putting the car on an isolated piece of track you will need to have a level surface prepared for the car. If you plan to put it on a piece of track you can purchase used railroad ties from a landscaper or lumber yard. Be sure to turn the tie over or drill new holes for the spikes. As for used rail you can contact local scrap yards or shorline/tourist railroads and occasionally your nearest railroad museum. Do not try contacting the large railroads like CSX, Union Pacific, etc. They will not work with you on a project like this. As an example if your moving a car 500 miles expect to spend at least $8,000 on shipping. If this all seems too overwhelming for you not to worry, we work with several logistic companies who can take care of all the arrangements to move the car. Feel free to contact the following companies for additional information. 

BNSF Logistics or C.H. Robinson Worldwide

Cabooses Built Of Steel

Shipping a steel caboose can be easier then a wood caboose but there are some things you will need to know first. The first question is does the car have roller wheel bearings or friction wheel bearings? When we list a car for sale we normally make sure that information is in the listing. If the car has friction bearings or if you plan to put the car on a isolated piece of track then read the above information on wood cars. If the car has roller bearings then most likely it can move by rail on it's own wheels like a box car in a train. If the car is in sound condition and meets all safety standards then it should be able to be moved by rail (we can normally tell you if it can move by rail). The car will need to be entered in to UMLER which is a system that identifies rail equipment via the railroads computer system. Cost for UMLER normally runs approximately $200.00. The car will then need to be inspected by the railroad for safety compliance, keep in mind railroads will not normally inspect a car until you submit the billing to move it. We can recommend several independent contractors who can inspect the car before a purchase. To move a car by rail you will need to get a tariff quote from all railroads involved in moving the car (we can normally tell you what railroads will be involved) then you will need to either open an account with those railroads or prepay the tariff before the car moves. One very important thing to remember is that you need to have a location with active rail service to have the car delivered. If you do not have property with rail service then you will need to work with local railroads or an industry with rail service. DOES THIS SOUND TOO COMPLICATED? Not too worry we can recommend several companies who can take care of all the arrangements for you. Feel free to contact:

BNSF Logistics , C.H. Robinson Worldwide or Red Streak Rail Services

If you have any additional questions regarding moving a caboose feel free to contact our office at 417-336-2401.