The CWR (California Western Railroad, aka The Skunk Train) Caboose #11 has been languishing in the CWR enginehouse for many years. She is in a sorry state. The Mendocino Coast Model Railroad & Historical Society (MCMR&HS) members are excited to renovate the Caboose to it’s original condition. It will be a challenging task for our small club.
Caboose #11 was built in 1936 by CWR/Union Lumber Company employees on a Southern Pacific Frame. She was rebuilt in 1962 by CWR employees in Fort Bragg. She was retired from service in 1989 and ran very rarely thereafter.
Part of our club’s remit is to try to find photos and the history of Caboose #11. This blog has been created to provide a record of the renovation.
If you have any comments or complaints about this blog please address them to me, Tony Phillips (philt95437@comcast.net). The responsibility for everything herein is mine.
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State of the north end of Caboose #11 pre renovations begin
The state of the electricals in Caboose #11
Day 1 – Making the area around Caboose #11 safe
Pics taken in the first few days of work
East side of Caboose #11 stripped
CWR Caboose #11 – Pics of when she was born (1936), after her mid-life rebuild in 1963 and today (2018)
I just knew it! Chief Operating Officer Frank Davis has unearthed pics of Caboose #11 “back then”. The pics can be seen below.
Today we had more good historical info on #11. An old CWR/Union Lumber Company employee came to visit. He told us that #11 was built in 1936 on an old Southern Pacific frame. How about them onions!!!!!
State of the north end of Caboose #11 pre renovations begin
Thes pics give you some idea of the magnitude of the task ahead of our club to restore #11 to operating order. These pics give you some idea of the magnitude of the task to bring #11 to operating condition.
The state of the electricals in Caboose #11
Jim Williams is the club’s Chief Electrician. As chief electrician he made a bee line for the electrics in Caboose #11, Here’s what his camera saw ….. Me thinks our Jim has a bit of work here!!!
The Outside of Caboose #11
Chief electrician Jim Williams took these pics soon after we started the renovation work. As you can see the exterior is a mess. In due course what’s there now will be removed and replaced. The replacement will not be “as is” ……. to make it more passenger friendly three new windows are planned.
Day 1 – Making the area around Caboose #11 safe
Us Mendocino Coast Model Railroad & Historical Society members are largely a bunch of decrepit old codgers. We bemoan the state of our bodies frequently and loudly!!!! That said the work on day 1 of Caboose #11 renovation was spent making the area around #11 safe and replacing the wood of the steps at the south end – the steps at the north end are broken.
Club member Lonnie Dickson did the dirty on the walkway.
Chuck Whitlock and Jim Williams fabricated a new step from plywood that was attached to the vestibule.
This photo not only shows the new floor fabricated from plywood that was in the vestibule but also the deplorable state of the outside skin of Caboose #11.
There’s a long haul ahead of us to get her running – that’s for sure.
Day 2 on the job
President Chuck Whitlock and Chief Electrician put some elbow grease into clearing the detritus from the inside of Caboose #11. Stuff stored in the caboose was removed along with a a seat and a cabinet. Jim Williams strung up lights so that workers can see what they are up to.
Pics taken in the first few days of work
President Chuck Whitlock and Chief Electrician put some elbow grease into clearing the detritus from the inside of Caboose #11. Stuff stored in the caboose was removed along with a a seat and a cabinet. Jim Williams strung up lights so that workers can see what they are up to.
East side of Caboose #11 stripped
President Chuck Whitlock and Chief Electrician put some elbow grease into clearing the detritus from the inside of Caboose #11. Stuff stored in the caboose was removed along with a a seat and a cabinet. Jim Williams strung up lights so that workers can see what they are up to.
