caboose restoration

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

I am restoring N&W caboose #518654 manufactured in 1970.  A few 
questions:  it had 3 bunks when built which were replaced by seats in 
1976 when it went into pool service.  Does that mean it was an assigned 
caboose from 1970-1976?  Does that mean that the conductor, brakeman, 
flagman actually slept aboard at times?  Or were the bunks used for 
other purposes - seats for transporting crew?  Does anyone have any 
pictures of the original interiors (so I can see what the bunks looked 
like)?  I can tell exactly where they were and how high they were and 
size because of the holes in the floor and the cut outs in the metal 
strips on the walls.  Why were they so low?  Food supplies:  I am 
trying to make the interior look as it would have when first put into 
use.  Where would the guys have stored their staples - coffee, sugar, 
etc. - and utensils (coffee cups, spoons, etc.).   Heating stove:  when 
I stripped the floor of its badly deteriorating paint, there were 
numerous small burn spots around the stove area (not visible when there 
were 2 coats of paint on the floor).  They seem to be from sparks - as 
you would see around a coal stove or wood stove in an old house.  The 
N&W caboose book says this caboose had a propane stove originally - but 
the heating stove in it now has the installation date of 1980.  Could 
there have been a coal stove originally?  If not, what could have made 
the burn spots?  Also, why do some cabooses have the round "targets" 
hung just outside the end doors on the platform - while others do not?  
Were they red or yellow - or something else?  What is their purpose?  I 
am also looking for a video taken from the rear of the caboose so that 
I can show school children (and others) what the view was for the 
conductor.  Any and all help is greatly appreciated!!!!!!  I want to be 
knowledgeable and accurate!

Thanks.

Ann Hobgood