They also look for dragging equipment, shifted loads, fires, loose straps, or hoboes. If anything out of the ordinary is detected, the conductor signals a stop with his lantern or pulls the emergency brake. The problem is fixed by the train crew or the car is set out on a siding to be repaired later. As the train travels, the station agents along the line receive new orders for the train by telegraph. The train order board is displayed to the approaching train, telling the train crew to pick up orders.
Train orders are copied and put in a metal bracket on a wooden hoop.
These orders are passed to the locomotive crew and caboose crew using this hoop. The orders are read and reread and then carried out by the crew, since each end of the train received the same orders. During the early days of railroading, conductors and brakemen saw the caboose as their home away from home. Each crew would often bring personal belongings from home. At the end of a day's work, the caboose was taken off the train and set out on a siding.