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Railroad display at History San Jose
Author: Ken Middlebrook
Date: 05-30-2013 - 22:22
Steamfan Wrote:
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> I believe the caboose is the Missouri Pacific
> Caboose. See:
> [historysanjose.org]
> ry-park/virtual-visit/missouri-pacific-caboose-135
> 22/
>
> Why a MoPac caboose is displayed in San Jose is
> the big question. There are tons of SP cabooses
> around that are more appropriate including SP 1589
> already in the CTRC collection.
After its active service, the MOPAC wide-cupola caboose was privately purchased and used as an business office off Park Avenue in San Jose on the WP line. When UP was ready to remove the trackage, the owner was informed that the car had to be moved or it would be landlocked. With no alternatives, the owner offered the caboose to CTRC as a donation with the provision it had to be moved within 30 days. Arrangements were made for storage on a private siding in Salinas. This was in 1997.
SP 0-6-0 #1215 was cosmetically restored by CTRC volunteers in the back parking lot of History San Jose. Upon seeing the attractiveness of the newly painted locomotive, the director of History San Jose envisioned a "train" display alongside Senter Road that would include 1215 and perhaps other CTRC equipment. Additionally, HSJ's education director embraced the idea to include the new display in school programming. Due to a planned garden at the corner of Phelen and Senter that would inhibit access, quick arrangements were made to relocate 1215. An open panel of track was built behind the locomotive for a future addition to the display.
While SP bay window caboose #1589 was nearby at the county fairgrounds, CTRC's second caboose in Salinas needed a different location as development plans would reduce the available space on the private siding. Basically, CTRC faced a deadline for moving the MOPAC caboose. While intact on the outside, the MOPAC caboose had been gutted on the inside during its use as a San Jose business office. The History San Jose education group wanted interior space for future classroom use which the MOPAC caboose layout provided over the SP baywindow. To the general public who have not seen cabooses on the end of trains, the red cupola caboose is more recognizable than the brown bay window. All these factors led to the decision of including the MOPAC caboose in the display. It was relocated in January.
The OSH boxcar will be a welcomed addition to the display.
Ken Middlebrook
Collections Manager, History San Jose
Member CTRC since 1983
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> I believe the caboose is the Missouri Pacific
> Caboose. See:
> [historysanjose.org]
> ry-park/virtual-visit/missouri-pacific-caboose-135
> 22/
>
> Why a MoPac caboose is displayed in San Jose is
> the big question. There are tons of SP cabooses
> around that are more appropriate including SP 1589
> already in the CTRC collection.
After its active service, the MOPAC wide-cupola caboose was privately purchased and used as an business office off Park Avenue in San Jose on the WP line. When UP was ready to remove the trackage, the owner was informed that the car had to be moved or it would be landlocked. With no alternatives, the owner offered the caboose to CTRC as a donation with the provision it had to be moved within 30 days. Arrangements were made for storage on a private siding in Salinas. This was in 1997.
SP 0-6-0 #1215 was cosmetically restored by CTRC volunteers in the back parking lot of History San Jose. Upon seeing the attractiveness of the newly painted locomotive, the director of History San Jose envisioned a "train" display alongside Senter Road that would include 1215 and perhaps other CTRC equipment. Additionally, HSJ's education director embraced the idea to include the new display in school programming. Due to a planned garden at the corner of Phelen and Senter that would inhibit access, quick arrangements were made to relocate 1215. An open panel of track was built behind the locomotive for a future addition to the display.
While SP bay window caboose #1589 was nearby at the county fairgrounds, CTRC's second caboose in Salinas needed a different location as development plans would reduce the available space on the private siding. Basically, CTRC faced a deadline for moving the MOPAC caboose. While intact on the outside, the MOPAC caboose had been gutted on the inside during its use as a San Jose business office. The History San Jose education group wanted interior space for future classroom use which the MOPAC caboose layout provided over the SP baywindow. To the general public who have not seen cabooses on the end of trains, the red cupola caboose is more recognizable than the brown bay window. All these factors led to the decision of including the MOPAC caboose in the display. It was relocated in January.
The OSH boxcar will be a welcomed addition to the display.
Ken Middlebrook
Collections Manager, History San Jose
Member CTRC since 1983
