Three proud railroaders smile as they prepare to take an old friend on one final trip. While no one of these three individuals has as many years as 1948 vintage caboose built by PC&F, collectively they more than have her beat! From left to right, brakeman Dan Forsman, Conductor Ken Smith Jr., and engineer Duane Kauke prepare to take this old girl up the mainline to Wasilla. There she'll be unloaded and trucked down the road for display and use as a club house at the Alaska Live Steamers. She was purchased from the ARR by a Mr. John Witney. Click Here for a story and video clip from Anchorage's local NBC affiliate which sent a reporter and cameraman along for the final ride.
Have you ever watched cabooses, enjoyed their uniqueness, wondered about the men inside, or the jobs they do? Once an everyday sight on the rails, they have decreased in numbers, yet they are a very important part of railroad history.