Renovation of CWR Caboose #11

The CWR (California Western Railroad, aka The Skunk Train) Caboose #11 has been languishing in the CWR enginehouse for many years. She is in a sorry state. The Mendocino Coast Model Railroad & Historical Society (MCMR&HS) members are excited to renovate the Caboose to it’s original condition. It will be a challenging task for our small club.

Caboose #11 was built in 1936 by CWR/Union Lumber Company employees on a Southern Pacific Frame. She was rebuilt in 1962 by CWR employees in Fort Bragg. She was retired from service in 1989 and ran very rarely thereafter.

Part of our club’s remit is to try to find photos and the history of Caboose #11. This blog has been created to provide a record of the renovation.

If you have any comments or complaints about this blog please address them to me, Tony Phillips (philt95437@comcast.net). The responsibility for everything herein is mine.

CWR Caboose #11 – Pics of when she was born (1936), after her mid-life rebuild in 1963 and today (2018)

October 25, 2018 by Tony Phillips

I just knew it! Chief Operating Officer Frank Davis has unearthed pics of Caboose #11 “back then”. The pics can be seen below.

Today we had more good historical info on #11. An old CWR/Union Lumber Company employee came to visit. He told us that #11 was built in 1936 on an old Southern Pacific frame. How about them onions!!!!!

Caboose #11 in 1936

Caboose #11 in 1963

Caboose #11 in 2018

The Outside of Caboose #11

October 19, 2018 by Tony Phillips

Chief electrician Jim Williams took these pics soon after we started the renovation work. As you can see the exterior is a mess. In due course what’s there now will be removed and replaced. The replacement will not be “as is” ……. to make it more passenger friendly three new windows are planned.