Hello All I'm a volunteer with the Colorado and Southern Historical society, we've been working on restoring bobber caboose 1006 in Silver Plume, Colorado. I figured I would post some photos of our work thus far. Caboose 1006 rolling into the Silver Plume CDOT building in October, the caboose was moved before the group was 100% finalized so as to get the car out of the elements to save it from another winter outside. 1006 back in her corner of the CDOT shop. Volunteers Matthew Brooks and Shane Schabow on the roof of the caboose evaluating it for restoration. C&S Society President Justin Kardas removing some trim molding from above the A end car door.
A end of the caboose with the siding removed. The paper hanging in there actually shows how good of a shape this caboose stayed in, that paper was placed behind the siding to collect condensation so the wood wouldn't rot, the fact the paper is still there after being last replaced in what we estimate to be 1938 show how well this caboose held up. View of the caboose with the siding removed. side shot of the car with the siding removed, the square outline in the wood under the cupola is the former window from when the car was a DSP&P waycar in the 1880's. Volunteer and Georgetown loop engineer Will Gant sticking his head out a window frame after removing the window for template creation.
The general consensus we reached after removing the siding on the side of the car that was original to the C&S was that the cars weight was probably about half nails. This side of the car had a stupid amount of nails driven into the nail boards. Work crew for the first work day minus Vice President Benjamin Fearn (taking this photo). Left to right; Will Gant, Justin Kardas, Matthew Brooks, and James Patterson.
That's some fine work you're doing there, keeping a piece of history alive. Looks like your crew is having loads of fun, too!
Roof had some patching that needed done and the cupola needs a lot of work. The siding needed to come off to check on the status of the frame as while the rest of the car is fine, the cuploa was rotted and leaking.
Boy, they don't build them like they used to, do they? Nails, indeed. I love those little bobbers and it's great that you are restoring it.