Welcome Visitor. First time here? Like what you see? Bookmark us for when you are bored, and check out 'top shots' and 'fantastic (editors choice)' in the menu above, you won't be dissapointed. Join our community! click here to sign up for an account today. Sick of this message? Get rid of it by logging-in here.



Its a bird? Its a plane? No its a flying caboose! 
My good friend and fellow engineer (VIA) Dave W shot this photo yesterday of his caboose being lifted over the home he just sold in Willowdale, Ont before it was loaded on a flatbed truck on its way to a good home at the Halton County Radial Railway (to be confirmed).
Dave had always wanted a wooden caboose but they were hard to find in decent condition condition. Luckily I was working as a brakeman in the mid 80's on a transfer job that CN operated from Mac Yard to Leaside via Oriole (CN Bala Sub) and the CPR to Leaside when I noticed an abandoned CN 78653 in Leaside.

After some inquiries Dave was able to purchase the van from CN and had it moved to a friends land between the CN and CP mainlines at Newtonville, Ont. CN 78653 sat in Newtonville for many years until Dave bought an home with an acre of land near Yonge St and 407. 
Dave extensively rebuilt CN78653, including new tongue n groove boards outside, insulation, 2 original oil burning stoves and many other original touches, but the best part...the original CN red paint and CN "serves all Canada"  maple leaf logo purchased from CN. The van was used a a pool house for all the years Dave and his family lived in Willowdale. 

With retirement from VIA pending Dave put the house up for sale and did not have any plans to take the caboose to his new property in Ballantrae, Ontario but wanted to give CN78653 a good home with fellow rail enthusiasts.

Hopefully many generations of railfans will be able to enjoy  this icon of Canadian railroading for years to come.
 Thanks for preserving and this classic CN caboose Dave.
Copyright Notice: This image ©D whitnall all rights reserved.



Caption: Its a bird? Its a plane? No its a flying caboose! My good friend and fellow engineer (VIA) Dave W shot this photo yesterday of his caboose being lifted over the home he just sold in Willowdale, Ont before it was loaded on a flatbed truck on its way to a good home at the Halton County Radial Railway (to be confirmed). Dave had always wanted a wooden caboose but they were hard to find in decent condition condition. Luckily I was working as a brakeman in the mid 80's on a transfer job that CN operated from Mac Yard to Leaside via Oriole (CN Bala Sub) and the CPR to Leaside when I noticed an abandoned CN 78653 in Leaside. After some inquiries Dave was able to purchase the van from CN and had it moved to a friends land between the CN and CP mainlines at Newtonville, Ont. CN 78653 sat in Newtonville for many years until Dave bought an home with an acre of land near Yonge St and 407. Dave extensively rebuilt CN78653, including new tongue n groove boards outside, insulation, 2 original oil burning stoves and many other original touches, but the best part...the original CN red paint and CN "serves all Canada" maple leaf logo purchased from CN. The van was used a a pool house for all the years Dave and his family lived in Willowdale. With retirement from VIA pending Dave put the house up for sale and did not have any plans to take the caboose to his new property in Ballantrae, Ontario but wanted to give CN78653 a good home with fellow rail enthusiasts. Hopefully many generations of railfans will be able to enjoy this icon of Canadian railroading for years to come. Thanks for preserving and this classic CN caboose Dave.

Photographer:
D whitnall [65] (more) (contact)
Date: 12/10/2019 (search)
Railway: Canadian National (search)
Reporting Marks: CN78653 (search)
Train Symbol: Not Provided
Subdivision/SNS: Not Provided
City/Town: Willowdale (search)
Province: Ontario (search)
Share Link: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=39695
Click here to Log-in or Register and add your vote.

28 Favourites
Photographers like Gold.Log-in or Register to show appreciation
View count: 4204 Views

Share this image on Facebook, Twitter or email using the icons below
Photo ID: 38497

Sorry, there is no map for this photo. Photographer did not add GPS co-ordinates. Please add next time or ask for a correction to this photo.



All comments must be positive in nature and abide by site rules. Anything else may be removed without warning.

6 Comments
  1. Now that is quite a love story. It is great to see this piece of history going to where we can all appreciate it. Many thanks!!!

  2. Wow, I hope those riggers had substantial experience! Great photo in a not-to-be-believed situation. Caboose looks fine, by the way!

  3. @PRR5406 yes they are professional and he had used them to put the van in his yard years ago.Dave has done a great job preserving the old van. I will pass that along.

  4. Very nice!

  5. It did in fact arrive at Halton County Railway Museum,
    Guelph Line, on Tuesday evening, Dec 10, 2019 around
    5:30 pm.

  6. Awesome! Thanks for the update railwayguy. Dave and I are happy this van has food a good home1

Railpictures.ca © 2006-2024 all rights reserved. Photographs are copyright of the photographer and used with permission
Terms and conditions | About us