Caboose in Allston, MA *pics* -questions...

daylight4449 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 01, 2012 9:15 pm

daylight4449 wrote:

Stephen Hussar wrote:

Here's that wood caboose in Auburn, MA. At this point I'm sure the owners wood be happy to part with it...

Not sure what the owner thinks, but the employees would rather see it in a museum. I stopped in yesterday, and one of the employees was kind enough to allow me to take some pictures. He said I could close the doors if I wanted, so the shots could be better, but I left it alone. Didn't want to risk breaking something. And apparently I'm not the only one who asked about its future! The gentleman in the waiting room had a notepad of numbers specifically for people who wished to know when it may be released for preservation (some of whom he fears may be scrappers, not an unreasonable fear at all). Me and the group out in East Brookfield have thought about it, so for know we're keeping our eyes on it. Anywho, link to my facebook album below;
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 425&type=1

And I just got that pun... How far behind was I on that one?

jno · **Joined:** Mon Apr 29, 2013 1:56 am **Posts:** 1

The story of the Auburn caboose is a sad one. When it was bought in the late '80s by a former owner of the old depot, it was apparently in good condition. But, when it arrived, the landings (sorry if I don't know the proper terminology) at both ends were found to have been somehow smashed in transit -- the metal all twisted out of shape. There was also some damage to the wood on one side (facing the street).

The man, whose name I don't recall (he had a wood-carver's shop there) tried to either return it, or get compensation from somebody, but with no success. He eventually removed the damaged planking, but made the mistake of replacing it with what appears to have been wooden flooring. Exposed to the New England weather for a couple of winters, the new 'siding' warped and buckled -- some of it fell off, or was removed, revealing part of the original frame. By that time the owner, thoroughly discouraged, had given up. He soon moved to Florida, and the property was for sale for some years, before the pizza place bought it and sadly gutted what had been a fairly well-preserved 1840 depot. I don't know when the plywood was put up, but it's probably protecting the structure from a lot more weather damage.

We'd all like to see this caboose restored and given a good home. But, whoever undertakes it will have a big job on their hands -- best luck to them.

jno