I have a few days of good weather now so its bite the bullet time and get rid of that dreadful west end beam. Took plenty of photos and measurements, braced the door posts, removed the siding for re-use on the one side, cut the vertical rods and remove the corner bolts and after a few issues with the beam hanging up on the tenons down it went. Most of the remaining beam ends are twisted and we will try to straighten things up but as the caboose sat for 67 years in the same position it may be almost impossible.
Will post progress pictures.

Mike Pannell