Newby with a question about a mystery caboose

Freelancer · Nov 19, 2023

In the 70s, I spent countless hours with a diarama that ran along three walls of an enlosed one car garage. Now, not so much. I content myself spending time at the local rai station of a small town. They run a team locomotive and there are several restored passenger cars, one of which belonged to a Texas dignitary. With regular shrt excursions and lots of photo ops, it's a fun place to spend pretty weekends.

To show a bit of local pride, I want to nuild a scale version of a caboose to cover our mailbox. I built a generic cover that has lasted three years, but I want to actually model a caboose on display here. I can't find anything about this railcar. Anyone?

bnsf971 · Nov 19, 2023

Probably the easiest course of action is to simply contact the Texas State Railroad and ask them about it, since it’s their caboose.
If they don’t have any info, then further investigation would be required.

Freelancer · Nov 19, 2023

Apparently, I didn't ask the right question. I've never seen photos of this style other than TSRR. They tell me its not unique. I was asking what other lines may have built this style.
Thanks

Bruette · Nov 19, 2023

Welcome to our forums, glad to have you!

Freelancer said:
To show a bit of local pride, I want to build a scale version of a caboose to cover our mailbox.

That is a great idea. I hope you can post a photo when it is complete.

Freelancer said:
what other lines may have built this style?

I have no idea. I wish you well in your search and with your project.

Smudge617 · Nov 19, 2023

I have to admit, that is one unusual caboose, I'm thinking that perhaps the outer shell is some way of preserving the timber you can clearly see, but I'm probably way off base with that idea, I'm sure one of our Texas residents will be along shortly and may be able to give you more information.

dave1905 · Nov 20, 2023

It is a homebuilt caboose converted from an outside braced, single sheathed boxcar. It isn't unique only in that other railroads did conversions of boxcars to cabooses, and that whatever railroad built it may have done several conversions, but it probably is unique in that whatever railroad did that did it differently than other railroads did.

Here is a PRR equivalent built in 1943: