To add to what others have said this caboose went into service in 1976 as a caboose. I was there for a week that summer, and volunteered. They put me on the caboose project.
At the time there was a local father and his son who did most of the carpentry work. Another guy, Ron from Kansas, was there as well. He was also allowed to go as a brakeman on some of the trips.
I was there for what turned out to be the last week, and saw it in operation on its first train, with 483 as the power. Have some slides around, but not scanned. It sure looks better today, but at the time
it was a nice extra for the railroad.
Greg