re: Did we ever get a good explanation on why they got rid of cabooses?

Militant whites began complaining about the harsh treatment and substandard level of service they had become used to in the decades prior which led to widespread civil unrest and demonstrations across the North and Mid West.

Many cited their frustrations with the available selection of bourbon and cigars. Mainly, however, the quality and preparation of appetizers by inexperienced sous chefs with little or no culinary training was coupled with the limited variety of entrées, which essentially was the straw that broke the camels back.

The customary soup and salad had, for many, begun to fall out of favor due to restrictions placed on the manner with which it was consumed i.e. being required to use forks, knives, and spoons, and the more widely ridiculed practice of being offered napkins. The social acceptance of consuming with one’s bare hands was rising in popularity and was largely attributed to the success and profitability of the newly created hot dog industry.

The result was unexpected, but welcomed after the quality of prepackaged gas station sandwiches were significantly improved with the addition of popular condiments such as mayonnaise. With the invention of saran wrap, which became widely available to low income families, most railways began serving all the sleeper cars and commuters.

This gave many the satisfaction of knowing they were suffering together without the viable alternative of ordering from menu à la cart. But more importantly, it began to antiquate the pestering thought in the back of everyone’s mind, that if you could afford better travel accommodations, they were available.