The railroads, with help from the I.C.C., each had specific rules regarding when crew members could occupy a caboose with helpers behind. First, the tractive effort of the helper(s) was considered, as well the type of caboose construction. Wooden underframes were out, as were most wood side cabooses. Lackawanna (DL & W) built a series of cabooses on the underframes of retired steam locomotive tenders, just for use with helpers behind on their grades out of Scranton, PA. Back when cutting helpers on the fly was allowed, the rear - end crew would stay in the caboose. One of the crew members would have to stand on the rear steps to close the angle cock & pull the cut lever, all while the train was moving !!! I last saw this routine on the D & H ( ex - DL & W / EL ), at Clarks Summit, PA., Northwest of Scranton, in 1982.