Monon Caboose (#234), Recovery & Transport
Chapter II: Cracking the Sarcophagus
This #234 episode could very begin with the Snyder family being presented with a move it or lose it dilemma. They very well realized what they'd had in their hands for decades, a genuine and now a very rare Monon railroad caboose, an artifact that deserved to survive. A bit of Hoosier transportation history that needed to be shared with others.
The Snyder family first approached the Indiana State Museum, also reaching the attention of an ISM member who was also a member of the Monon Railroad Historical & Technical Society. MRH&TS in turn, tipped off the Northwest Indiana Railroad Preservation Society as to the whereabouts of this caboose in Brookston.
A visit to the 234 site was arraigned for NWIRPS members to inspect, evaluate the health of the caboose, to formulate a working plan needed in order to remove from the premises, safely transport to a new location.
First, the present state of the 234 is photographed, documented--
Next, a loose venture of collaboration between NWIRPS and MRH&TS members is formed--
Then came the work sessions, the demolition of the added-on extension wings that were attached to the caboose--
A small ceremony of exchange, NWIRPS president Kevin Heggi, giving payment of one 10-dollar bill to Agnes McGraw-Snyder (Linda's mother), the same sum that William Snyder had paid to the Monon railroad in exchange for the retired caboose in 1933--
Time for a look at a few of those ancient Monon Railroad surprises--
As the caboose room extensions were being dismembered, it was found that several wooden components had an earlier life in the duty of railroad service. Boards carrying information marking identifiers that were once parts of rail rolling stock, boxcars--
It is strongly assumed that these roof rafters used for the Clubhouse room construction were salvaged from the refuse pile at Monon Yards in Lafayette, where retired railroad cars were being scrapped.
Of course these discovered visuals of previously unknown railroad ghosts has the NWIRPS history squad in a euphoric state of giddy, doing the detective work needed to connect these stenciled markings to their long-departed whole.
This one translates as South Hammond, June 27th, 1936--
The Monon Railroad once kept a car switching yard and locomotive service facility in Hammond Indiana, south side of the city. A northern Monon Hoosier Line outpost that was downgraded, then abandoned years ago.
This board carries CI&L, the initialized short form for Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville--
CI&L was a predecessor railroad company, back when the Monon was merely a nickname. In 1956, that nickname was officially adopted as the new corporate title.
A fabulous find, nowadays one rarely sees such dated bits of surviving railroad flotsam, still preserved in their original states of condition--
The dual wing additions have been pared away...
...revealing CI&L #234, the Monon caboose long hidden near the Tippecanoe River.
It's time to get ready for the highway trip to Northwestern Indiana, a crew with a truck, a lowboy trailer and a mighty crane arrives on the former campsite. Lifting bars and cabling is fitted, the caboose is gently strained upwards from it's long time supports--
Swung to one side, then carefully placed upon a means of wheeled road transport--
Using straps, the caboose is restrained to the trailer...
...the recovery process is complete.
A final check to ensure for a safe & uneventful trip, the cargo is ready roll--
The moment of finality has arrived, an interval of goodbyes, leaving, absence, change.
A solemn occasion as the Snyder family bids a fond farewell to #234, the Clubhouse. Keeping the flame of warm memories while bestowing best wishes for a long cherished friend--
Moving forward to Chapter Three