Although not often seen on the rails today, cabooses are perhaps one of the most recognizable cars.
Formerly, cabooses were used by train personnel and were essentially an office on wheels, where the conductor could handle paperwork associated with freight trains. A cupola on top of the caboose allowed the conductor to observe the train. A cabooses also served as a home for the conductor.
At one time, all trains were required to have a caboose on the tail of a train. However, in the 1980s, with improving technology, they were no longer required. Click here to read more information about cabooses (or cabeese).