Builder: Southern Pacific. Year Built: 1899

This ex-SP wooden caboose that was rescued from the bulldozers at a San Carlos grade crossing work site turned out to be a significant find for the Golden Gate Railroad Museum.

Although the caboose carried the number SP 272 when it was deposited in San Carlos to be used as an office, a little historical research showed at least two SP cabooses carried that number. Then, when the car was moved away from the adjoining building during movement, it revealed a pristine Petaluma & Santa Rosa Railroad Company herald with a car number #l in the center. Armed with this new information, the GGRM was able to trace down the car's heritage with the help of the California State Railroad Museum. Briefly, the car was built in November 1899 in the SP shops in Sacramento. It operated over much of the SP system, but spent many years based out of Sparks, NV. The caboose was retired in 1932 and sold to the P & SR Railroad in 1937 where it saw service until it was again retired in the 1950s.

The car is portrayed in the late Fred Stindt's book on the Northwestern Pacific, Volume II. Ironically, the photos of the car in this book were taken by our own Board member, Art Lloyd back in 1947.

This is the GGRM's first all wooden car and will require special restoration treatment. For now, P & SR #l is tucked away safe and sound at the Point, out of the elements awaiting its rebirth at the hands of our restoration experts.

Text by Mike Mangini