A.J., the reason that this caboose is kept is service is to help Slater's Lane local switch the industrial spur that serves both Mirant's Alexandria plant and the Robinson Terminal Warehouse on the water front of the Potomac. The nature of the spur is such that they need the caboose on a regular basis in order to observe movements from the back. Backing out is the only way that adequate switching can be performed. The two customers receive coal and solid waste and newsprint for the Washington Post that is delivered on land by ship. In addition it can also be found on the B-Line serving the Front Royal area. Check youtube and type in ns alexandria for a variety of videos showing this caboose. Excellent pic BTW.
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Thanks. It's funny how I wrote this comment a few years before going to work for a Class 1 railroad (and having the opportunity to ride on many shoving platforms, old cabooses and yard engines alike). Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words.
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Forgot to mention, Henry Dralle also has a picture of this caboose placing this in Burke.
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