Bobber caboose restoration at Monticello Railway Museum

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

There's a number of projects going on these days at MRM, but a very interesting one is the restoration of Baltimore & Ohio Chicago Terminal 4-wheel caboose #C1735. Here's a photo taken this weekend by MRM member Dennis Slone of the B&OCT bobber which gives an idea of the current progress.

Les

J3a-614 · **Posted:** Sun May 31, 2015 8:12 pm

She looks nice; wish I could see the rest of it!

milepost205 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 07, 2015 12:14 am

That bobber is the cat's meow. Dennis and the guys have been doing a wonderful job on her!

James Holzmeier

Mr. Andrew · **Joined:** Thu May 28, 2015 1:54 pm **Posts:** 1

A side view...

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

The boys at MRM have finished the restoration of B&OCT caboose #C1735 with a big assist from Dwight Jones who came over to Monticello today to do all the lettering. Here is a photo furnished by Dennis Slone of the caboose after it was pulled out for photos. The markers are Dwight's. The other side of the caboose is lettered the same except that it has the simple B&O Capitol Dome herald without the reference to the states that the Baltimore & Ohio served.

Fantastic job!!!

BTW, although I marked this photo as being taken by Dennis, he advised me tonight that the photo was actually taken by Paul Bundy. My goof!

Les

Howard P. · **Posted:** Mon Jun 15, 2015 7:14 am

THAT is a really nice car, and really great restoration work. Perfection! Your crew should be very proud of that caboose.

Howard P.

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

I submitted a photo of the restored B&OCT 4-wheel caboose with its "Linking 13 Great States with the Nation" herald and mentioned that the other side of the caboose has the simpler Capitol Dome herald. Dwight Jones sent me a photo of this other side as the caboose was pulled out of the restoration shop building at MRM, and it's included here. Dwight tells me that this is the original Kuhler-designed B&O Capitol Dome herald from the late 1930's featuring the "open" ampersand. The only other preserved caboose with this particular herald is a "Wagon-Top" steel caboose at the B&O Museum in Baltimore.

Finally, a quick "tip of the hat" to the MRM crew that participated in this restoration. In alphabetical order they are Paul Bundy, Dave Heyn, Brian Jones, Dwight Jones, Syl Keller, Art Purchase, Eric Schafer and Dennis Slone.

Les

rock island lines · **Joined:** Mon Feb 17, 2014 4:20 pm **Posts:** 487

This forum needs a "Fresh Paint Friday" weekly feature. This caboose would be a perfect candidate for it.

Glad to hear they were so careful in getting the B&O logo just right. It warms the heart to see that kind of attention to detail. Makes me want to jump out of my chair and wave my arms and shout.

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

r.i.l. -

Thought I would post one other photo that was sent to me. This is apparently of B&OCT #C1735 when it first arrived at Monticello. There was a previous MRM effort to restore the caboose, which was eventually sidetracked, but some of the restoration was done at that time. I think this photo is from Paul Bundy.

Les