Exploring the history of Clark County, Washington

There is a historic red railroad caboose on the Weber Arboretum property.  It is located on a stream that flows into the Columbia River. There is also a separate wooden deck with a viewing platform and a lovely vista of Mt. Hood and the river.

The railroad caboose is one of two constructed by the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway in October of 1942 in shop facilities in Vancouver, Washington.  Because of the lack of materials and manpower at that time only two cabooses were constructed.  The cost of construction was $2929.50 each.  The two cabooses served the entire rail line system from 1942 until 1966.  The wonderful SP&S caboose was bought by  Dr. Vinson and Jane Weber for their large parcel of property.  The existence of the other caboose is unknown.

The foundation of the caboose is steel and it has a wood structure.  There is a small standing platform on the front and one on the back of the caboose.  And on each side of the caboose there are three sided  windows that were “built out” from the side so the conductor could see what was happening on both sides of the tracks from inside of the caboose.

A conductor, who was most often assigned to his specific caboose, lived in the caboose.  This was his home and where he resided.  Inside is a small  living room area, a bed, a primitive toilet, an iron stove for heat and cooking, a small ” ice box”, and a smaller cupboard and  closet.

The Webers’ caboose was transported by barge on the Columbia River to their property, and both the Webers enjoyed being and entertaining at the caboose, and at a later time they rented the caboose for housing.  One family with three children lived cozily in the caboose for a time as the Weber’s helped them get back on their feet. 

At a time the caboose was a point of pride to the SP&S Railroad and to the conductor/s who lived in it.  The years have been hard on the caboose.  Kevin Franklin, a prior member of the Weber Arboretum Board, has worked to stabilize the caboose or find a new home for it.  There are no current plans.