Ex-Edaville 554 Caboose Discussion

[Terry W. Shirley]

While watching a YouTube video that was published back in August of 2015, I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be an Edaville Caboose on what looks like private property a mile or so up the line.  What is the story on this caboose?

[James Patten]

The caboose is owned by Maine Locomotive and Machine Works, which is refurbishing it.  ML&MW also did the boiler work on B&SR 7 and MRR 3, plus they have the other two derelict B&SR boxcars that MNG got rid of.

[Terry W. Shirley]

Thanks, James!!

[Ted Miles]

folks,
        What is the Maine Locomotive and Machine Works that is working on the Monson #3 and other locomotives?

Is it connected with one of the museums; or a separate organization that is funded by some rail fan?

Thanks for your information,

Ted Miles

[Mike Fox]

Ted, Maine Locomotive and Machine works is a private business. The owner has worked at Boothbay, and now does contract work at this location.

[Terry W. Shirley]

Any chance of a spur track into this "industry"?  That would make it awful easy for them to have a "test track".

[Bill Baskerville]

At one time there was a plan to put a spur track into a saw mill to be erected on that site.  Since the Ry didn't own the property the use changed.  The saw mill equipment is now awaiting a useful opportunity at Sheepscot.  I think the plan is now to put the saw mill and the shingle mill on a stub siding on the West side of the TOM passing siding. 

It is not for me to say from afar, but I have heard a siding into the ML&MW site discussed.  I will leave firm plans to others in the know.

That be all, Bill

[Brendan Barry]

Our neighbor Brian Fanslau has loaned us ex Edaville caboose 554 for the Victorian Christmas trains. 554 was converted to a caboose from a B&SR boxcar by Edaville. 554 was the caboose you could see from the train at Brian's shop.







A view from 25 years ago just missing the cranberry bogs. 103, 8 and 554 would make an all Edaville consist.

[Philip Marshall]

Not just two engines, but two cabooses! Very nice.

It appears that Edaville 554 is a reasonably good facsimile of the original SR&RL 554, a somewhat mysterious car that was destroyed by fire in 1926 and of which there are very few photographs, though it's known to have been of the same basic design as 551 and 552. In volume 3 of his recent series of SR&RL equipment books, Jerry DeVos theorizes that 554 may have originated as one of the B&B excursion cars, either B or C, rebuilt by the SRRR at some point prior to the 1908 consolidation.

[Paul Uhland]

Brendan and Philip...Thanks for pics and info.
Curiously, how did you guys get 554 onto WW&F rails?
Looks like that almost-spur to Brian's biz would now be great to have.

[Brendan Barry]

Curiously, how did you guys get 554 onto WW&F rails?

Same way we move the dairy car on the railroad's trailer.

[Terry W. Shirley]

A spur at some point in the future into their facility sounds to me like a good idea.  Since it appears they have at least 2 more boxcars awaiting restoration, and no telling what else might arrive there for work, it makes more sense than ever to have a rail connection to the WW&F.  I understand that it will take a lot of consideration on whether it would really be beneficial to commit scarce switch parts and rail to such a project.

[Ken Fleming]

I know that the purists will go nuts, but I think that the S.R.&R.L. caboose would make a good addition to our rolling stock.  A little better setup for handicap passengers using wheelchairs.  Think about it.

[John McNamara]

Indeed it would be a very nice car for that purpose. It was extensively remodeled to its present excellent condition by Maine Locomotive and Machine Works, operating as a contractor for Edaville Railroad/Thomas Land. They kindly lent it to us for this event, after which I expect it will go to its owners.

[Brendan Barry]

554 belongs to Brian who generously fixed up the caboose so the WW&F could use the caboose for Victorian Christmas. 554 was retired from the Edaville fleet and Brian saved the car from being scrapped.