information about Burlington cabooses

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

Anne

Feel free to contact me off list at
klm611 at hotmail.com

I think I can provide a lot of useful information, having been involved 
in a number of cab restorations.

Ken Miller
On Jan 29, 2006, at 5:34 PM, nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org wrote:


> The Roanoke Chapter of the NRHS restored an N&W caboose recently, they 

> might have much useful information.

>

> Jeff

> Two Blocks from the N&W Valley Line

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org

> To: NW-Mailing-List at nwhs.org

> Sent: Sun, 29 Jan 2006 15:06:00 -0500

> Subject: information about Burlington cabooses

>

> Hi all - 

>  

> I just met Chuck Stewart in Chapel Hill and he told me about your 

> group. I am looking for information and advice about restoring a 

> caboose (or possibly 2) that were donated in 1993 to the City of 

> Burlington, NC by Norfolk and Western. The City Council voted to sell 

> the cabooses in Nov. 2005 and I have made a proposal to them that I 

> will restore the one that is downtown by the old depot. (The other is 

> 518562 located in City Park in Burlington.) The one I am currently 

> working on is 518654 - a Class C31P built in 1970. 

>  

> Although I have a passion for trains and a large model/toy caboose 

> collection, I have limited knowledge of restoration work on train 

> cars.  I do, however, have lots of skills and experience with 

> restoring old houses, carpentry, painting, and museum display. I'm 

> hoping that there will be some of you out there who will be willing to 

> answer questions for me. I am also working with the Greensboro (NC) 

> chapter of the National Historic Railway Society - but I need lots of 

> help from people who know the N&W. I own and have read "Cabooses of 

> the Norfolk and Western" by Robert Bowers and James Brewer - so I have 

> the general information about the series 518500 through 518699. 

>  

> Here's some questions for starters: 

>  

> Does anyone know any specific history of caboose # 518654? (I have the 

> specific floor plan provided by N&W as it appeared in 1976) 

>  

> What is your opinion about painting it red (as it was when it was 

> delivered to Burlington) or returning it to the blue which I believe 

> it was originally? (I have detailed photos of how it looked in 1993) 

>  

> Should I restore the interior to the way I think it was in 1970 (3 

> bunks etc.) or to 1976 when it went into pool service and the bunks 

> were removed, the conductor's desk relocated, etc.? 

>  

> What would the interior color have been in 1970 and in 1976 or later? 

> I read somewhere that there was an interior color change from light 

> green to gray at some point. The color of paint that is still clinging 

> to the backs of some of the metal interior signs appears to be a 

> medium to dark gray - not green at all. Photos of interiors from the 

> 70s make the paint appear to be high gloss. Does anyone know paint 

> colors and brands with dates used? 

>  

> Where can I obtain some missing items such as the battery powered 

> radio, tools for the tool locker, N&W record keeping books, etc.? I 

> want to make the interior look as authentic as possible. 

>  

> Are there stencils/patterns for the NW logo on the sides? 

>  

> Were the interior floors painted a color or sealed with varnish? 

>  

> Does anyone who is knowledgeable about cabooses of this era live close 

> enough to Burlington to meet with me to take a look at what I've got 

> to work with? 

>  

> Thanks for any help you can give me!!!!! I really enjoy reading your 

> questions and responses about the N&W!!! 

>  

> Ann Hobgood 

>  

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