This is long overdue, but the talented folks at Boothbay Railway Village have been busy with so many projects that I think this one sort of fell under the radar. In addition to the meticulous work they do for their own grounds and collection, they have been simultaneously involved with preservation and restoration projects for other museums as well.
SR&RL Caboose No 551 on loan from MNG in Portland was recently "spruced-up" by the Boothbay shops.
551 got all new siding; while it was stripped, several structural wall members were repaired. It got new rubber roofing. The interior was refinished and painted based upon careful research and analysis of the existing layers of paint. The result is believed to be the original Sandy River interior color.
The car emerged from the shop looking absolutely resplendent inside and out!
