We have found two web references so far to the history of our
WP668 Caboose (now in storage in San Jose)
Current Picture:
Image by Katy Dickinson (Copyright 2006)
Old Picture #1:
The first WP668 reference is just an old image on a web site of railroad
pictures. The image was taken between 1943 and 1977. Given the bad
paint condition, probably later in that time period, but there is no
specific date or context. The photo label is:
“Western Pacific #668 location/Date/Photographer unknown. S. Roger Kirkpatrick collection”. The best thing about this image is that it
shows WP668 in her original markings, which will
be of help when we come to restore her exterior.
Old Picture #2:
The second WP668 reference is a full history web page from when WP668
was owned
by the Golden Gate Railroad Museum.
The text is:
Western Pacific #668, Bay Window Caboose
-
Builder: Western Pacific (Originally Pullman). Year Built: circa 1943 (1916)
This Western Pacific wooden box car was converted with several others
to serve as a caboose on local freight trains in the bay area. This car
was in use until approximately 1977. Built by Pullman in 1916 as boxcars,
the bay windows were added in 1943 along with the other “typical” appliances
of a caboose, such as bunks and a stove. This car is a sister to
Sacramento Northern #1642, also in our collection.
Upon the car’s retirement it was sold to a private owner who leased it
out as office space on the San Francisco waterfront. The caboose was
acquired by one of our members and donated to the museum.
The photo (probably taken between 1990-2005) shows WP668 with
brighter paint and all of her original numbering gone. However,
her windows are intact and her paint looks in better condition than when
we bought her this year. In particular, there is none none of the tagging
(grafitti) she has now.
The rain storms the last few weeks have considerably slowed our efforts
to get our swimming pool filled in. The job seems about 3/4 done now
but days can go by with no work because of the wet. The huge dirt pile
has finally moved from the front of the house into the pit in the back but
it is still too squelchy to pound down yet.
The plan is to fill in the pool with gravel and dirt to one tie-height
below ground level. After we place the ties, the ballast rock goes in
around them. Only the steel rails themselves will be above ground level.
KatysBlog 
