Monon Transfer Caboose #81551

[George Lortz]

The Monon Shops built three transfer cabooses numbered 81551, 81552 and 81553 and assigned them to three different yards in the system.  Caboose #81551 was assigned to the K&IT Yards in Youngtown, KY and stayed there most of its working life.  I believe the two others were located in Indy and in South Hammond.  The Monon Society now owns #81551 and it is currently stored at ITM in Noblesville, IN awaiting someone to start a project to restore it.  During its later life it was numbered SBD 12058.

Here is a Mont Switzer photo of the caboose in Youngtown taken on 12/18/66.

George L.

[Pete Pedigo]

The transfer caboose at ITM is rusting down. It has not been touched since it was moved there.  No one in the society is willing to foot the bill and take one this project. We would need a commitment of $20,000.00 up front to start on that caboose.   I would seek authorization to begin the moment the money is in the bank and a director steps up to the plate to head the project. At this moment the board is considering donating that caboose to Westfield officials for them to restore and display this caboose along the MONON Trail underconstruction in Westfield.   As it is now, if they do not want it then it is for sale or will be scraped so we can have that money to repaint the caboose in operation at Frenck Lick which needs paint ASAP.

Pete Pedigo
President

[Ryan Rybarczyk]

What was the running weight of the caboose?

[Steve Dolzall]

According to the Monon diagram the cars weighed 41,600 lbs.

Steve

[Ryan Rybarczyk]

Thank you Steve!

[Ryan Rybarczyk]

Wanted to provide an update:

The City of Westfield would be looking to move the caboose late summer/early fall time frame to a temporary location to restore before placing it for exhibit on the former Monon ROW north of the city. If transfer of control of the car to them can successfully take place they would like to involve our groups expertise and technical advice on how to properly restore the car (lettering, paint, overall appearance) and they would of course welcome any volunteer efforts during this process. They really want to put the time, effort, and money into doing this correctly and providing a permanent exhibit on the Monon Trail as a historical reminder of the importance of the Monon to the community.

[Rick Berg]

Does anyone have any more information on 81551 final dispositon.

[Ryan Rybarczyk]

I believe it is still sitting in Forest Park.

[Les Beckman]

Please note that Monon transfer caboose 81551 is now located at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana, where it will be restored.

Les

[Rick Berg]

TY Les