Author Topic: WW&F caboose 320  (Read 8947 times)

Zak LaRoza

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WW&F caboose 320
« on: November 05, 2010, 08:38:09 AM »
Is the caboose 320 a replica of any specific WW&F caboose? Like, from the original railway?

Ed Lecuyer

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Re: WW&F caboose 320
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2010, 08:42:15 AM »
Caboose 320 was designed for the original railway (in anticipation for the never-completed connection to Farmington) but not built. The museum acquired the original plans and built the caboose. So, it's not a replica - it's a new caboose - just "delayed" in construction.
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Zak LaRoza

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Re: WW&F caboose 320
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2010, 08:49:52 AM »
Ohh I seee.......  ;D

Stephen Hussar

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Re: WW&F caboose 320
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2010, 09:50:07 AM »
our caboose 320 IS the original

Steve Klare

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Re: WW&F caboose 320
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2010, 08:01:43 PM »
Did the original WW&F ever own a caboose?

Wayne Laepple

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Re: WW&F caboose 320
« Reply #5 on: November 08, 2010, 09:36:41 PM »
I'm probably sticking my neck way, way out here, since there are plenty of folks who know the history of the WW&F's rolling stock than I do, but here goes. When the line opened in 1894, there was a cupola caboose, No. 300, that appears in a few photos. Later, there were three cars, Nos. 302-304, that were identified as "waycars." They looked like boxcars, but has several windows on each side, as well as end platforms and doors, and a stove. They may have been used as cabooses when the WW&F had freight trains, but I imagine when traffic fell to the point that only mixed trains were operated, cabooses were replaced by passenger equipment like RPO combine No. 2.
« Last Edit: November 08, 2010, 09:40:48 PM by Wayne Laepple »

Steve Klare

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Re: WW&F caboose 320
« Reply #6 on: November 09, 2010, 02:12:24 PM »
I accept that as a "yes".

The SR&RL's cabooses are the most famous of the bunch: there were many and so many have survived.

The rest of 'em aren't so famous.

I know the B&SR had at least one caboose because it still exists, but I have film of a late Bridgton freight and it's cabooseless.

I've been in #8s cab, so I can't imagine #7 being very roomy for the engine crew, a brakeman and a conductor. The next time I watch I'll have to see how many are in the cab.

I guess a 1930's EOT marker (kerosene lantern) would have been a little hazardous hanging from the rear coupler.

John McNamara

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Re: WW&F caboose 320
« Reply #7 on: November 09, 2010, 02:24:36 PM »
Peter S. Barney's "The Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway: A Technical and Pictorial Review" mentions caboose 301 in an equipment list, a photo page, and a drawing.

-John

Wayne Laepple

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Re: WW&F caboose 320
« Reply #8 on: November 09, 2010, 05:05:05 PM »
See, I told you someone with more knowledge than I would chime in. :-[

Matthew Gustafson

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Re: WW&F caboose 320
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2011, 07:04:21 PM »
our caboose 320 IS the original
Are you talking about the Caboose thats at the WW&F right now?  ???
Steam Department Volunteer at the Illinois Railway Museum.

Ed Lecuyer

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Re: WW&F caboose 320
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2011, 07:30:08 PM »
Yes. #320 was designed for and built by the WW&F railway. The only issue is that the time between design and delivery is unusually long.
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Stewart "Start" Rhine

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Re: WW&F caboose 320
« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2011, 07:37:32 PM »
Matthew,  Caboose 320 is the car at Sheepscot.  It was built in 1998 from plans that were drawn up for the Franklin Construction Company in 1901.  As mentioned, the car was never built for the FCC.  Museum officials got copies of the plans in 1997 and decided to construct the car.  It was built in Bay 3 and was first used at the Annual Picnic in 1998.  The car has original WW&F bottom pin couplers.

The original caboose, numbered 301 was built in 1895 for the W&Q and sported a cupola.  The cupola was later removed and the window configuration changed.  The car was in service until the line shut down in 1933.  The 301 didn't see much service in later years and fell into disrepair.  It was scrapped in 1936 when most of the rolling stock was burned for the iron parts.

Stewart