CN Wood Caboose 78492

CN 78492 on B-B-Q Day, September 2007 Kim Pierce photo

Restoration of Caboose On Schedule and On Budget by Don McGuire

This wooden caboose was built in 1943 by Canadian National Railways at their Pointe St. Charles Shops in Montreal. It was built from an aging CN boxcar (# 342834) which was originally built as Grand Trunk 22634 in 1912.

In the 1970s CN converted the car for maintenance of way use as a rider car. The bunks were removed and replaced with wooden benches, the table and conductors chair removed along with most other interior fixtures. It was used to ferry workers from the town where a work train was tied up, to the job site.

CN donated the caboose to the Wainwright and District Museum in 1989, and for years it sat in the park adjacent to the museum in the former CN station in Wainwright.

The Wainwright Museum transferred the caboose to Wainwright Rail Park in October, 2005.

Moving the caboose to it new home took a coordinated effort involving several local companies, and a lot of volunteer labor.

Don McGuire works on CN 78492 restoration 2007 Kim Pierce photo

Davco Crane lifted the caboose onto a trailer from Brenson Trucking, which was hauled by CLC Trucking. AL’s Hotshot Service and RP Oilfield provided the pilot trucks for the circuitous route required to get from the museum to Wainwright Rail Park, where Davco again lifted the caboose and placed it on our track.

Repainting of the exterior began in 2007 utilizing a grant from Museums Alberta. A paint sprayer was purchased under this grant which will see ongoing use in our restoration projects.

Windows were inspected prior to repainting, and several problems were found with the window frames. After comparing with a caboose diagram, it was decided to replace all windows in the caboose and build them to the proper specifications.

Stenciling logo on CN 78492 during restoration 2007 Kim Pierce photo

Paint was ordered using formulas and diagrams supplied by well known CN historian Stafford Swain.

Don McGuire and Phil Valleau primed and painted the caboose. Using morency orange and mineral brown to depict the scheme of the late 1950s. A large maple leaf stencil was borrowed from the Alberta Railway Museum, in Edmonton and the green leaf and white lettering was applied.

Herb Bradley and Don McGuire rebuilt the four side windows plus all the cupola windows (including screens). All windows were installed by the end of October.

Further work on the caboose interior will start in 2008.

Thanks to everyone who has played a part in this project to date.

CN 78492 in 1991 Don McGuire photo

CN Wood Caboose 78492 Arrives at Wainwright Rail Park by Don McGuire

Built in September 1943 at CN’s Point St. Charles shops in Montreal. As was common practice it was rebuilt from a wooden boxcar (CN 342834 that was origiinally Grand Trunk 22634 - built by Canadian Car & Foundry in Montreal in September 1912).

CN last used the caboose as a rider car. The bunks, conductors desk, etc were replaced with wooden benches and used to transport crews to worksites.

It’s conversion date, or ultimate retirement date are unknown.

The caboose was spotted on a siding in Calgary’s Sarsee Yard in 1989, and we began to enquire about it’s availability. CN advised that the caboose had already been donated to a group in Calgary, but the car had never been claimed. They agreed to contact the original recipient to find out if they were still interested. Not long after CN called to say the caboose was available to the Battle River Historical Society in Wainwright. They delivered it to Wainwright in the summer of 1990. It was stored at Camp Wainwright under a canopy at the old supply building on base while a location was prepared on the grass at the Wainwright Museum. CN Prepared the short length of track, and the caboose was moved to town in the spring of 1991.

In 2005 the Battle River Historical Society deacessioned the caboose and transfered ownership to the Wainwright Railway Preservation Society. In July 2006 society Volunteers were assisted by CLC Trucking, Brenson Trucking and Davco Crane in moving the caboose to Wainwright Rail Park.

Work on the caboose has begun, with painting and lettering to be completed in 2007.

1991 Arrival of CN78492 (Hi-res: jpeg 67 kb)

CN 78492 Arrives at Wainwright Yard

The 1912 caboose in the CN Wainwright Yard the day it arrived in Wainwright in 1991

Photo © 1991 Don McGuire

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