#BV the Blue Caboose

[chaos-doodles-shit]

Throttling them affectionately

[stylizedclown]

heard about how the new production is going so far from what ive seen posted. i jus hope that it turns out good, but heres some schoodles that may or may not be from weeks/a month ago‼️

im also making an au but idk if im gonna post abt anytime soon but i might post doodles that have notes abt it!!

[thisismondaymood]

Headcanons on how StEx characters would react if you give them an energy drink:

Pearl: pretends to not like drinking that kind of stuff but actually enjoys it

Greaseball: pretends to handle the caffeine quite well but throws up when no one is looking

Rusty: he'd either be hyper af (like a kid that ate too much sugar) and a bit sassier or cries his eyes out

Poppa/mama: starts using caffeine to compensate everyday life (just like most adults)

Flattop: he's almost caffeine resistant and even feels sleepy

Caboose (CB and AV): gets hyperactive af and goes feral (there might also be the risk of him stabbing someone with random pointy objects)

Canoose (BV): gets super confident first but has a mental breakdown as soon as the caffeine is broken down by the body

Dustin: takes one sip, finds it disgusting and touches that can never again

The rockies: battle eachother who can drink the most cans

Electra: zaps uncontrollably

Elektra: claims that he can handle that bit of caffeine but shuts down after half a can

Components: are too worried about Elektras condition to feel any difference

Dinah: giggles constantly

Belle (sleeping car): feels more youthful than everyone else

Ashley: she'd probably be very chatty and uses the can as an ashtray

Trax: feel happy and serene for once in their life

Control: gives his parents a hard time

[neacle]

Saw Terence last month and had to incorporate some of his features in my Bee :D

[green-planets]

Hello I'm new to StEx and I was wondering how to tell which CB is which?

I always see people talking about them but I don't get who is who.

Hello! I will admit that I'm not the best equipped person to answer these kinds of questions but I will do my best 🫡 The StEx wiki also has some helpful information about the differences between each version of the caboose character. Here's a rundown:

CB (original London caboose)

His costume is inspired by truckers and his name is a direct reference to CB radios. He has a red chest box, silver pants, a hat that resembles a baseball cap, and headphones with a detachable radio on his belt. His songs often reference CB radio lingo.

In 1992, the London show was updated and CB was written out completely.

Red Caboose (Broadway, Bochum, and beyond-- until 2018)

When the show came to Broadway, the caboose character was completely overhauled. He was no longer called CB and his costume lost all of its trucker inspiration. The new costume resembles a toy soldier with more caboose elements but a lot of people compare him to a clown because of his bright, bold make-up. He is the most popular version of the caboose within the fandom and often still referred to as CB.

Red Caboose (2018 Bochum and onward)

StEx has a long history of revisions and rewrites. For the 30th anniversary of the Bochum production, the show got some major overhauls and so did the Caboose character. While he's still referred to as the Red Caboose, his costume now has a dark blue base. His new design (and characterization) is more inspired by gangsters of the 1920s-30s. He has a big chain and brake wheel "bling" and a bright red pork pie hat. Within the fandom, he's usually referred to as BV or Brake Van because of his shoulder boxes. I've also seen the names Cabs and Vance floating around.

The 2024 London Revival has also opted out of having a caboose, instead giving his role to a new character, Slick the oil tanker.

Hopefully this helps! StEx fandom, please feel free to step in if I missed anything!

[marastriker]

notes from last week's stex watchings 👀

Wednesday, March 8th Coco shoves Dinah during the argument between the engines and the coaches Dinah playfully slaps Pearl's butt at the beginning of Ich Bin Ich The coaches have glittery parts of their costumes! Dinah and Pearl have sparkly fabric for the straps under their knee pads Terence Caboose is REALLY REALLY amazing with his acting choices In Freight, Rusty loses control of both coaches and freight and looks very panicked Terence flips his hat back onto his head so smoothly 10/10 When coupling up for the first race, Turnov points to BV and makes a motion as if to say hurry up! Then takes off so quickly that Bee has trouble grabbing his couplers Alexandra covered Volta and gave some cool female Volta vibes Gary was very very Purse-like with his performance during Pearl Welche Ehre - but did some signature Krupp spins in AC/DC! A nice balance of the two! When the other components join Pumping Iron, KW freaks out because Elektra is FUSSY Flat Top is trying to imitate the Rockies' dance moves during Momma's Blues and fails so badly Belle throws up at the end of heat 2 - no drinking and racing kids KW freaks out again when Pearl leaves Elektra for Greaseball - he is so anxious about his job, poor Watt Terence sang the 2nd verse of Mein Spiel first, by accident but he saved it well! TerryBee did fun CB move Overall such INCREDIBLE acting, amazing Mein Spiel When Dinah disconnects Elektra, he's freaking out - but Bee is already there and Elektra kinda just….sighs okay fine can you help me Bee: >:D One rock and roll too many…. Idiot sandwich <3 Coco cocks her shoulder box when telling off Pearl before Für Immer When everyone comes back out onstage post love-song, GB is going after Elektra but Elektra SHOVES him away. BV laughs, Elektra holds up a finger to him as if to say: "shut up. You caused this."

Thursday, March 9th Trax bapped Carrie on the back of the head during bye bye Rusty During the argument, Ruhr seems to just be playfully playing along, but he has a kind smile and tips his hat to Carrie Beginning of Ich Bin Ich - Turnov offers Espresso a shot of vodka and Espresso does NOT like it Manga and Ruhr also sharing a snack. Manga offers Ruhr an alcoholic drink as well, maybe sake Belle has two barrettes in her hair, one is shaped like bottle openers and the other is shaped like bottle caps Beginning of Freight, Flat Top squares up to Dinah and she snaps his suspenders Rockies imitate Bee's "fake news" gesture - Rocky 2 gets it wrong and Rocky 1 shows him, "no, he does it like this" When the trains malfunction as a result of Elektra's presence, Bee does a silly little robot dance Dinah and BV talking/gossiping at the beginning of AC/DC No Pyro at beginning of Pumping Iron Jae Volta squatted like a hoe in pumping iron actually jae volta was slutty all week Ida Brexit is a grandpa and I love him. Hi peepaw Turnov makes a "chop chop" motion to Bee to couple him for heat 1 KW shows Rusty away to talk to Pearl Pearl looks sad to leave Rusty and go with Elektra Each BV actor has a "thing" they do when Greaseball yells CABOOSE during the races - Terence looks back and then nods GB pushes BV into Wrench so he can disconnect her and take Manga Flats is straight up grooving during Momma's Blues When FT takes a selfie of him and Momma, he looks at the pic and then looks back at her like "damn you don't look so good" and she gets upset and shoos him off OIL OIL OIL - Delano puffs out his cheeks and looks so stinky Rusty: Pearl won't race with me :( Rockies: tease him by fake crying Flats gets so STOMPY BV eavesdropping on Rusty and Momma's convo during Bummelok - also his scarf was backwards Momma looks so taken aback by GB and Elektra like "these youngins……" When Greaseball tells Dinah to shut up in the rap, the gang is like OOOOOOOOO and she looks ready to fight them Another incredible Mein Spiel performance Bee mockingly waves goodbye to Pearl after he crashes Rusty Rusty literally crying before the Starlight sequence :( Dinah disconnects the components because she angy

Friday, March 10th Technical difficulties with the door where the nationals enter! it got fixed fairly quickly <3 naruto run in rolling stock my beloved Ida brexit walk like afraid of cockroach Luuk Espresso sounds so italian even when singing in german GB pokes and prods Pearl when he brings her in He plays with her ponytail, she is not amused I LOVE MEZZO PEARL (Dieuwke) Kai Bee tips his hat to Carrie <3 For some reason, Elektra's gear lights weren't working until Race 1 today Ryan can play Espresso and Turnov, and THAT is what i call great vocal range Rocky 2 was ready to throw hands with Rusty for insulting Momma! Dustin flinched when Momma yelled NEINA Dustin waves shyly behind Momma during the race 2 introduction Espresso grabs Carrie's skirt tassels instead of her couplers and pats her ass RuhrCarrie moments! He spun her around Both Elektra and BV injure Pearl in the final race - Elektra electrocutes her and BV baps her at some point Saturday, March 11th and Sunday, March 12th Cole Greaseball has such power behind his voice! Incredible acting choices! GB didn't fade into the background this time, I genuinely enjoyed Cole so much more! Brexit/Turnov disappear sometime between taunting Rusty and the beginning of Ich Bin Ich due to split track Rocky 3 and Flat Top The other coaches are a little miffed that Rusty interrupted her but Carrie shrugs and is like oh okay :) Since Turnov is not available for Pumping Iron due to a split track, they replace him with TerryBee and he dances with Carrie! The coaches all take shots at the beginning of coda of freight to prepare for the race super quick change from Flat Top to Turnov for Race 1! Even if turnov is not there when they are all coupling up for race one, Bee and GB still have a moment where they establish they have a deal and I like that detail KW scans Pearl's face during the beginning of Pumping Iron (Elektra maybe already made it clear that he wanted her as a race partner?) Flat Top shows up halfway into Momma's blues due to split track Momma and R2 have a little fistbump after saying rusty is blind Rocky3 raising her hand like MEEE after Momma asks for Rocky to race with her. the other two scold her Carrie looks so excited to win the second heat with Ruhr! Delano Rusty is so ready to square up with Greaseball after race 3 Delano is the only one who acts properly injured after the crash/gang beat up, chugging back before right place right time I FINALLY FIGURED OUT HOW THE LIFT WORKS. there is indeed a back portion that supports Rusty by the waist as he's lifted into the air Carrie waves to Bee before the final race and BrandiBelle chastises her Cole GB acts like a ballerina in one rock and roll and it's hilarious Rocky 3 is the one who disconnects Bee, Elektra, and GB from the train before the final scene! Brandi and Bee share a drink before Light at the End of the Tunnel

[engine-of-love]

There’s Me: Post-2018 scene

(The scene in which ‘There’s Me’ is included in the current show. I also took some creative liberties regarding Greaseball and Elektra near the end of Heat 1. Also, Post-2018 Caboose’s fanon name belongs to @marastriker)

Dinah could not believe what she had witnessed. Greaseball had come in first place, but how the diesel gained the position was what boggled her mind. The two were nearing the finish line, the silverly glowing figure of Elektra a little was ahead. Without warning, Greaseball struck the electric on the side. The surprise hit caused Elektra to stumble and he quickly tried to regain his balance. Greaseball wasted no time pulling ahead taking the lead. The sliver, white, and black electric recovered impressively quick, but it was too late as his opponent sped across the finish line. Shoves and punches were unavoidable in racing, but most knew to well-time them as to move ahead and not cause accidents. 

Greaseball basked in the cheers of the audience, not noticing the dirty look Elektra gave him as he rolled away with Pearl in tow. After Greaseball was done with his mini-celebration, they made their way off the race track and rolled down the line. Dinah spoke up. “What was that?!” “What was what?” asked the diesel. “What you did back there! That was cheating!” The dining car said hotly. Greaseball came to a stop and turned to race her. “Hey, come on now. We won didn’t we? Quit that kind of talk Dinah.” The brunette wasn’t having that. “That wasn’t fair and you know it! That stunt you pulled could’ve ended badly with all of us crashing, including Pearl!” She scolded, referring to the newly-arrived first-class car, who Dinah and the other coaches, Carrie and Brandi, took under their wing. “And It’s one thing to push and shove opponent and another to almost make someone crash!”

Greaseball glared at the coach and bristled. “Ok, that does it. I’m giving you air!” he exclaimed, backing away from her. Dinah stared at him, stunned. “W-what?” “You heard me.” replied Greaseball, coldly. “You race with me, you use my rules. You had your chance. You blew it. So we’re through.” With that, the champion turned away from the blue coach and began to roll away. Dinah felt tears well up in her eyes. She glared at his retreating form. “Fine! Go! I don’t need you!” She yelled with all the strength she could muster. The feelings of heartbreak and anger were too much for the dining car. She sunk down to her knees, allowing the tears to stream down her cheeks. Within seconds, a navy and red-striped caboose  rolled onto the scene. He went up to Greaseball.

“Hey BV.” greeted Greaseball. “Hey GB.” BV greeted back with a suave smile. “Hey man, what a race! What a team.” “Shh!” hissed Greaseball. The Red Caboose gave a confused look. Seeing his expression, the diesel relaxed. “Oh, you mean me and Dinah. Not a team anymore BV.” He glanced at Dinah. A flicker of regret appeared on his face before hardening himself. “She’s on her own.” he concluded and left. BV stood there in shock. Greaseball and Dinah? Broken up? Normally that scenario would be preposterous. They were the power couple of the yard! His eyes gazed toward the crying coach. She let out small sobs she couldn’t hold in anymore. BV thought about leaving, but seeing Dinah in such a state made him reconsider. He let out a sigh. ‘BV, you’re such a sucker.’ he thought.

He slowly rolled up to to Dinah and kneeled down

“All alone

You think you’re on your own 

You think there’s no one in the world 

Who cares for you

That isn’t true

There’s me” 

The brunette briefly glanced at the BV then turned away

“I may not be 

The one you want to see

But if you need someone who’s kind 

Then look behind

And then you’ll find 

There’s me”

At his words, Dinah turned her head to fully look at the kneeling caboose.

“I’ll be near standing by

Never fear 

You can cry

In a while 

You will smile 

And I’ll be there to see”

The crying dinning car sniffed and sighed

“By myself 

I have to cry myself 

Nobody else can cry the tears I have to cry”

BV gently reached out and brushed away her away her tears. 

“But I will try 

There’s me

Until then 

When you’re okay again 

You look around find

I’m no longer there

But friends are always near 

You’re not alone, there’s me 

There’s always me”

BV holds his hands out to Dinah. With slight hesitation, she took them and the caboose helps her to her wheels.

“For friends are always near 

You’re not alone, there’s me

Your friend

There’s me”

With their hands palm to palm, the dining car and caboose gently pushed, causing them to roll backward in opposite directions. Dinah smiled softy and gave a little wave. BV tipped his hat with a similar smile. With that, the two turned and went their separate ways.

[goodnight-bloodsucker]

StEx Appreciation Month Day 18: BV (Post 2018 Caboose)

Favorite Actor: Jack Hinton

Favorite Songs/Scenes: Wide Smile 

Favorite Costumes: I guess the blue one 

Favorite Ships: Steam Press is okay, but in my Canon he doesn't have any healthy relationships 

Headcanons: Born in the mob and is still in it, married for monetary gain, stuck in a terrible cycle of crime and alcohol 

Unpopular opinions: Personally, I don't think he's that good-looking.

[tabooiart]

update!caboose commission for @marastriker :)

[pikaspark23]

Behold, the cabooses…

CB and BV!

(The name for update!Caboose belongs to @marastriker. Also, both versions of Caboose are valid)

[starburst2000]

Starlight Express Appreciation Month!

Day 18: Post-2018 Caboose

Favorite Actor: Daniel Ellison!

Favorite Song: Mein Spiel

Favorite Costume: The one with the red gloves!

Favorite Ship: Beelektra, Rocky 2/BV the Caboose, CarrieBee

Headcanon: His hair, when not under the bandana, reach down to his mid-back. Also, I support the theory he's colorblind.

Unpopular Opinion: Please give him "There's me" back...!

[stylizedclown]

i need to post actual stex drawings so heres some roblox freedraw and white board doodles💥

[thisismondaymood]

Stuff I can't look at without having StEx-related thoughts (ordered from obvious to obscure)

Okay, that's too obvious!:

O.B.V.I.O.U.S.:

I hope I'm not the only one with these thoughts when it comes to this:

It's okay if it's obscure to you, but to me it makes sense:

[green-planets]

I know I've mentioned the idea of StEx themed soda/drink mock-ups, but I have no idea when I'll have the time or motivation to draw them. For now, I want to at least share what I've associated with each character! (This is purely based on vibes. List is below the cut because it's long)

Rusty- Root Beer

Greaseball- Cola

Greasebabe- Dr. Pepper/Moxie-esque "burnt rubber and battery acid but sexy" flavor

Electra- Blue Raspberry

Momma- Birch Beer

Elektra- Lemon-Lime

Pearl- Strawberry

Dinah- Blueberry

Buffy- Cream Soda

Ashley- Sarsaparilla

Carrie- Pineapple

Brandi- Club Soda

Belle- Lavender

Tassita- Peach

Bonnie (Revival!Belle)- Grape

Dustin- Blackberry

Flat-Top- Black Cherry

Rockies- Fruit Punch

Hip Hoppers- Tropical Punch

Red (Toy Soldier/Clown Caboose)- Sour Watermelon

BV- Blueberry Pomegranate

CB (OLC!Caboose)- Ginger Ale

Volta and Zero- Winterberry

Joule- Chili Lime

Wrench- Kombucha

Killerwatt- Strawberry Kiwi

Krupp- Blood Orange

Purse- Cranberry

Ruhrgold- Apple

Espresso- Iced Coffee

Hashamoto- Melon

Brexit- Dandelion & Burdock

Bobo- Orange

Coco- Grapefruit

Turnov- Pear

Slick- Malta

Lumber- Maple

Porter- Charcoal Lemonade

Hydra- Energy drink

[marastriker]

hi hello I commissioned @honey-dont for a sleazy lil caboose

thank you very much David, I appreciate it so much! he looks wonderful! 🥰

[engine-of-love]

Starlight Express Appreciation Month: Day 18

BV the ‘Red Caboose’ (Post 2018 Caboose)

Favorite Actor: Daniel Ellison, Tom Nihil 

Favorite Song: Freight, Wide Smile, High Style, One Rock N’ Roll Too Many

Favorite Costume: The one he has now

Favorite Ship(s): Beelektra, Carriebee, SteamPress 

Headcanon: He’s CB’s older brother. He’s also a master flirt, like the things he says will leave you swooning

Unpopular Opinion: Put There’s Me back in the show and have him sing it so he will have the same softness to him as CB