Episode 216: The Runaway Caboose

"The Runaway Caboose"
Season , Episode # overall in Series
Original air date	February 11, 1976
Episode Guide
IMDb	The Runaway Caboose
Written by	Ernie Durham
Directed by	William F. Claxton
Episode Chronology
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At a train station, Mary, Laura and Carl wander into a caboose. Without warning, the caboose begins to move, and it soon is on a crash course with an oncoming train. Charles and Mr. Edwards go on a race against time to try to warn the locomotive operator and stop the runaway caboose.

Cast

• Michael Landon: Charles Ingalls
• Karen Grassle: Caroline Ingalls
• Melissa Gilbert: Laura Ingalls
• Melissa Sue Anderson: Mary Ingalls
• Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush: Carrie Ingalls
• Barney: Jack

Trivia

• The locomotive used on this episode was Sierra Railroad #3, which appeared in many TV shows and movies. One of its more famous appearances was on the series Petticoat Junction as part of the "Hooterville Cannonball".^?

Quotes

Carl: (about going on the trip with Charles and Mr. Edwards) I wish we could go. I couldn't actually go on the train, but I could at least see it up close.

Mary: Why don't you ask your Pa?

Carl: It wouldn't do no good.

Laura: But we're studying railroads. It would just be like some extra special homework.

Carl: Yeah!

Laura: Mary can ask our Pa.

Mary: Why me?

Laura: Because you can put your glasses on and look serious. If I ask him, he'll think I just want to go for fun.

Mary: It's all my fault. If I had only jumped when you told me to!

Carl: It's not your fault. It's mine. I'm the one who got you on this thing in the first place.

Mary: I'm the oldest. I shouldn't have let you do it.

Carl: You couldn't have stopped me. You're a girl.

Mary: Well, what's that got to do with it?

Carl: A lot, that's what!

Mary: Well, what?

Carl: Never mind.

Mary: There, you see? It was my fault.

Carl: It was not!

Laura: It was both of your faults! You feel better now?

External links

• IMDb
• TV.com
• TV Guide