Hello all:
Okay; if one wanted to restore, or at least get a caboose that has been landlocked since 1992 moving, what’s the first thing to be done? This caboose that I’m talking about needs paint but I would like to be able to get it moving first. Yes, I know I talk a lot about restoring things but has any of it ever happened? No. But this caboose is easier to get to and I’m willing to replace things that need replacement. So my questions are:
1. What’s first to restore a caboose?
2. What’s the first thing to work on, on the trucks?
3. What should the list of priorities be?

I'm guessing bearings and brakes would be a logical start, as well as making sure the thing is structurally sound enough to withstand being moved.

What kind of bearings do the trucks have? How do you plan on moving it etc etc.

Also: money and a plan.

It has rollerbearings. After repairing the trucks, couplers, airhoses, ect; hopefully a crane could pick it up and swing it to the right and place it on the mainline tracks that are less then 30ft away.

As you mentioned roller bearing journals, I'm assuming this is a steel car.

My first step would be to see if the neighbouring railroad would be willing to haul the car at all, assuming it could/ would be brought up to snuff mechanically. Also, what would they charge, and would its destination have rail access? Only then would I service the roller bearing journals, couplers and draft gear, air and hand brakes, and ensure the steps and grab irons are safe.

Otherwise, I'd arrange road transport, insurance, etc. before wasting too much effort. It's always easier to do these jobs once you get a car home. Consider overhead clearances, access for large trucks, etc before taking possession!

I'm presently working on moving a snowplow forty miles by road. Fundraising is coming well. Its plain bearing, unsprung archbar front truck is enough to prevent a rail move (not just one railway, but interchange as well), and the cupola has to come off for the road move. Lots of fun!

Steve Hunter

http://www.sfrmeo.ca/
http://public.fotki.com/elliottd/sfrmeo/

Yeah, mechanical work is the 'easy' part. Once you come up with funding and work out all these 'little' details, everything else comes together, right before your eyes...

This car had a long life. It was built in '41 as a wooden caboose then in '88('89) it was extensively overhauled to a steel caboose with wooden innards. Good idea to check with the railroads first. I would have started work then thought "can the railroads move it?".

First, I assume there's a destination for it--someplace besides your driveway.

How far does it have to go? Depending on specific circumstances, just using a combined trucking/crane company may be far cheaper than railroad movement. I've helped move freight cars 5-10 miles where, despite their rail-worthiness and going from one live track to a short line connection in what would have been a local movement via ONE local freight on Conrail, the trucking and crane rental (pretty much barely above cost as a friendly "donation" by a local company) was far more reasonable than dealing with Conrail, even though it possibly could have been done (back then, at least) without corporate superiors in Philadelphia knowing about it............

IF my destination allows me to store it there for the time-being, it would be about 15 miles. Both places are connected to live rail.