In the spring of 2025, we visited a striking piece of railroad history in the charming lakeside town of Bay Village, Ohio: N&W 518368, a steel-framed wooden caboose from the Norfolk & Western’s iconic CF Class. Built in 1923 at the N&W Roanoke Shops, this caboose is a rare survivor of an era when these rolling workhorses were essential to America’s railroads.
Caboose Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Norfolk & Western Roanoke Shops (1922)
- Road Number: N&W 518368
- Length (Coupled): 34 feet 8 inches
- Height: 15 feet 1 inch
- Width: 10 feet 5 inches
- Weight: 47,000 lbs.
- Crew Capacity: 6
A Brief History:
The N&W’s CF Class debuted in 1914 as the railroad’s first standardized 8-wheel caboose, with a rugged wood body atop a steel frame. Over the next decade, 381 of these cabooses (numbered 518000–518380) rolled out of the Roanoke Shops. Designed as mobile offices and living quarters for crews, they were famed for their durability—some even remained in service into the 1980s.
Cabooses like N&W 518368 served as rolling offices and living quarters for train crews, offering a workspace for conductors and brakemen while providing shelter during long hauls. The N&W’s CF class was known for its durability and functionality, making it a staple on the N&W for decades. Working examples lasted in to the 1980s.
Visiting the Caboose:
Located at 28795 Lake Rd, Bay Village, OH 44140, this caboose is a must-see for railfans and history buffs. If you visit, take a moment to appreciate its craftsmanship—and perhaps reflect on how quickly vanishing artifacts like these slip away.
I’ve included some shots from my visit to give you a closer look at this historic caboose!
