Cabooses still being used?

[punchy71]

Greetings,
Can anyone tell me why there is a caboose being pulled along by a BNSF switcher in today's modern railroad world? Granted, the windows are all boarded up, but still, the fact remains, it appears to be in active service and not retired... =)
Thank you

 

[cprted]

It's technically not a caboose, it's a "shoving platform." On trains that expect to have long backing moves, they'll use a shoving platform to give the conductor or brakeman a safe place to stand while on point.