That is great info to have. As SVRR's archivist I had an inquiry a few days ago about the origin of caboose 4, so rattled off what I knew about all of them. The 1916 valuation indicates that 1 & 4 were purchased 2nd hand, with 2 & 3 built by SVRy. I think the term built and rebuilt may have been used loosely, because the built date painted on the sides seems to have typically been their last "rebuild" date. SVRy acquired quite a number of outfit cars from U&N (?) which had small end platforms. Several of these may have served as a basic structure from which to build a caboose. Pure speculation on my part, based on the similarity of appearance of these cars and the earliest photos of SVRy cabooses without cupolas in service. #3 had until it's restoration a brake system that would have predated 1904 by some years. This was a plain triple valve, with integral cut out valve, that also included a straight air position. I am of the impression that this scheme would date to the late 1870's to early 1880's. Someone please correct me if I have my air brake time line incorrect. There was evidence of other modifications under the car as well that suggested a very early rebuild from something else. Caboose 5 was built or rebuilt in 1915. We have car shop records from Nov. 1915 showing it being built. However we also have a ledger sheet that shows the cost of converting 5 from another car which IIRC was numbered 57. Caboose 6 was built in 1917, but carries a built date on the side in 1925. Presumably it had been damaged, or found deficient enough in some way to require a rebuild in 1925 extensive enough for them to call it a "build". #2 was the only side door caboose so far as we know. There is a photo of a caboose at at distance in S. Baker that shows a caboose with a unique cupola that is not seen in any other photo I know of taken on the SVRy. As I recall Garrie Tufford found a shot of this caboose or it's twin in Utah on the Utah Central. I am not where the photo is, but as I recall it has a side door, so perhaps it was the parts kit to build #2. This is more speculation, to look for confirmation of.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2016 10:17AM by J.B.Bane.
