Wooden Soo Line Caboose

ggunther · **Joined:** Thu Oct 14, 2021 10:09 pm **Posts:** 4

The Mundelein Heritage Museum in Mundelein, IL is looking for a restored wooden Soo line caboose or other local line to replace our existing burned out caboose.

linkthebutler · **Joined:** Mon Jul 13, 2020 12:29 am **Posts:** 230

Thats funny...

...you really think here are people lined up to give a restored SOO wooden caboose away?

A good place to start for "any condition" "any era" is searching this database:
https://web.archive.org/web/20201017213 ... y-railroad

PS: What happened to your old caboose?
I expect it was CB&Q 14497 whom I see many many years ago sitting in a park?
A sign at that time said build in 1890 then BN 1970 then park engine 1976.
The manufacturing year was absolut wrong. I guess it was a 1910-1920 made with even
much later freight car trucks.
Did the "Mundelein Heritage Museum" find the real history of that caboose before it burned?

ggunther · **Joined:** Thu Oct 14, 2021 10:09 pm **Posts:** 4

We are looking to purchase a caboose, not looking for a free one.

ggunther · **Joined:** Thu Oct 14, 2021 10:09 pm **Posts:** 4

linkthebutler wrote:

Thats funny...

...you really think here are people lined up to give a restored SOO wooden caboose away?

A good place to start for "any condition" "any era" is searching this database:
https://web.archive.org/web/20201017213 ... y-railroad

PS: What happened to your old caboose?
I expect it was CB&Q 14497 whom I see many many years ago sitting in a park?
A sign at that time said build in 1890 then BN 1970 then park engine 1976.
The manufacturing year was absolut wrong. I guess it was a 1910-1920 made with even
much later freight car trucks.
Did the "Mundelein Heritage Museum" find the real history of that caboose before it burned?

ggunther · **Joined:** Thu Oct 14, 2021 10:09 pm **Posts:** 4

Not sure if this is a repeat. Still getting familiar with this site. The caboose is still in Mundelein. The park district acquired it from the City of West Chicago in 2001. I am not sure when it was burned out. We want to have a caboose we can tour.

o anderson · **Posted:** Sun Oct 17, 2021 12:26 pm

Locating a preserved and restored wooden Soo Caboose that is ready to be sold, is a possiblity, though I doubt you will have any luck.
Just last year two such cabeese were offered for free on RYPN:
Grand Rapids MI:
http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=44760
Weyawega WI:
http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=44306
Additionally, the Colfax Railroad Museum of WI has the correct metal wheels, parts and hardware to make it complete car, as mentioned in that last thread.

If so desired to pursue this, a group should be able to solicit a qualified restoration firm. You will have your restored car, after the time and money invested. I recommend building a shelter and providing security so that sun fading, rot, and vandals do not undo all the good work. Then again, you can do as others have and use non-traditional materials for more weather resistance, but they still will age over time. Best of luck!

TrainDetainer · **Joined:** Wed Nov 23, 2016 7:05 pm **Posts:** 280

Incidentally the first car mentioned shows an ACI number of SOO99090. Model and photos here.

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2608

I am not associated, not restored but in restorable condition apparently: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... &refType=0

John D · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 2:28 pm **Posts:** 478

Just posted today:
http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=46015

Wooden Soo Line Caboose

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