Hi all - we are thrilled to have acquired C&S #1008. The body now rests at it's new home next to Richard Farmer's (my brother's) home/shop in the LA area. The most astounding thing is that this relic sat hidden and unknown for perhaps 22 years relatively few miles from Richard's house. (We had driven by it completely unaware thousands of times.) Our intent (yes - call us crazy) is to restore 1008 to operable condition.
Bob Babcock (Randy's Dad) consulted on and was instrumental in the successful but difficult move this past Tuesday. It's true that Kyle Wyatt at the CA RR Museum was the first informed about the caboose by the seller of the property. Kyle got the word out to a few NG folks, Randy among them, and Randy then contacted Richard because of the close proximity.
Our experience in restoration is primarily bringing the 1920, 5-ton, 18" Ga. British industrial steam loco "GWEN" back to life. Richard and I are both life-long NG fans, and immediately recognized the significance of the find, and the need to save 1008.
The seller of the land had no interest in or much knowledge about the caboose, but the new property owner asked that it be moved by the end of December. We were told that #1008 arrived in Northridge from
Alamosa about 1989, with the intent of restoration. But as will be seen nothing appears to have been done to it. There are essentially no running gear parts, no window glass, no doors, no end sills or platforms, and as one would expect almost all exterior wood is in doubtful condition.
We're fortunate that the seller of the property where the 1008 sat, even though not a railfan, took the step of contacting the CA RR Museum. It is easy [and somewhat frightening] to imagine that 1008 could have simply been cut up and carted to the landfill as the "old shed" that it seems to be.
We also noted the "Chronology" at the back of NG Pictorial Vol VIII that lists 1008 as: 1943 -"Scrapped. Body in Leadville 1956." The Vol VIII narrative by Darrell Poole states that: "In 1943 it [1008] was used by the railroad as a shed, in Leadville, where it remained for many years." The path from Leadville to Alamosa to Northridge in the 1980's is not known as yet.
Of course, I know "pics are proof". We'll post those in a few days, with more knowledgable insight about condition as Richard cleans and assesses things. With the holidays and generally bad weather in S. Cal, it just hasn't been convenient yet. We'll also post about our progress, just don't expect it to be too fast!
We would like to hear from those with unpublished pics, knowledge about the interior color and details, or insights about the story of this surprising survivor. Feel free to PM me if you'd like.
Bob Farmer - Tempe, AZ
Bob of AZ
