MINTO — The Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum and the Town of Minto are making efforts to restore the caboose located outside of the museum beside the railway tracks.
The history of the railway station is directly linked to the development of the town of Palmerston, making it what officials say is an important area in the community.
The town announced on its Facebook page on July 31 it would be raising money to bring the caboose “back to life” so that it can continue to help educate visitors about the role it played and the rich history of the Palmerston railroad.
Community members who donate $10 or more will receive a gift package which includes a cup, koozie (also known as a cup cozy), bottle opener and coaster. Donations over $20 will receive the “Raleway Fest” gift package and a tax receipt.
Bob McEachern is an archivist and a volunteer who is involved with a lot of the research that happens at the museum. He mentioned that the original plan for the caboose was to have it restored in 2021. Unfortunately, the project had to get pushed aside as this planned timeframe was in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Restore the caboose — Bob McEachern is among the leaders of a campaign to restore the caboose at the Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum.
“We realized that the town (Palmerston) will have its 150th anniversary in 2025,” said McEachern.
“So now, we resurrected the plan from doing it in 2021 to make it 2025.”
Some caboose history
In 1980, the caboose was sheathed in plywood and McEachern said it was purchased by individuals in the Minto area.
“[The people who owned it] were using it as a cabin while they built a house,” said McEachern.
The caboose then turned into a playhouse for the children in the area and trees and other plant life grew around the structure until the sheathing deteriorated.
When the heritage museum got their hands on the caboose, McEachern said they decided to remove what was left of the sheathing and to redo the outside of the old playhouse.
The caboose has since had the cedar planks and boards replaced on the exterior of the mobile structure.
“The Caboose is an important part of rail history in that it was always at the end of a freight (train),” explained McEachern.
“Railway men lived in there, and it was their home. So, it became very much a part of their life.”
He added that the caboose would either be painted red, yellow or orange depending on which railway line in Canada it was on.
For example, the Canadian National caboose is an orange-red colour, while the Canadian Pacific one is painted a more orange-brown colour.
The restoration plans
McEachern also added that those involved in the restoration project are now looking to see what the caboose should look like when it is complete.
In 1947, many railway cabooses were renovated and had toilets added into them as this is the part of the train where the crew would sleep.
The local historian said that before toilets were put in, people would place a chemical toilet (a porta potty) in the caboose to get by. However, there were few with actual toilets like the current caboose in Palmerston has.
“We’re going to try and renovate it and set it in a 1947 style. We’re not going to take [the toilet] out, that was the style that was put in,” he explained.
Since the outside of the caboose is already covered, the museum is now looking to put a new roof on it.
“We’re probably looking at something in the area [between] $15,000 to $20,000,” McEachern told the Community News.
The cost of the restoration is dependent on how much volunteer labour the Town of Minto and the museum can get for this particular project, as well as what people in the community are able to donate.
Community members have already been donating to the museum and the Town of Minto towards this heritage project and it was estimated by McEachern that they already have about $2,400 going towards it since the fundraising announcement was posted.
“It’s part of where we live. Because this is a railway museum, it was a railway hub historically, and we want to continue that,” he said.
For anyone interested in making a donation to the restoration of the caboose there are several options to do so. Donations can be accepted through mail in the form of a cheque to: Town of Minto, 5941 Highway 89, Harriston, ON, N0G 1Z0.
They are also accepted in-person at the museum or Town of Minto office, or e-transfers can be sent to payment@town.minto.on.ca.
If making an e-transfer donation, it is asked that you refer the donation to “caboose restoration” and provide your full name, address, phone number and email.
Any questions can be forwarded to: museum@town.minto.on.ca.
