Caboose 588

Caboose 588. . , This narrow-gauge caboose car is a perfect example of those which operated on the Denver and Rio Grande Western (D&RGW) railroad in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Since shorter trains did not require cabooses, Caboose 588 did not operate on the Lake City Branch of the D&RGW, but rather, serviced the neighboring line between Gunnison and Montrose, Colorado. , Caboose 588 was manufactured in 1900 in the Salida, CO shops; one of only 84 constructed at that location. At seventeen feet long, it was relatively short by later standards. Train cars of this type housed the brakeman whose important job was to make sure that the train cars remained together during transit and that the train was not igniting any fires in-route. , Caboose 588 was retired from service in the early 1950's and was given to Lake City, CO in 1954 by D&RGW as a memento of the years of service provided by the defunct Lake City spur from 1889 to 1933. The car resided in front of the Hinsdale County Courthouse for many years and served as the Lake City Chamber of Commerce Information Depot from 1973 until the early 1980's. After remaining idle for nearly fifteen years, in 1996, county commissioners agreed to gift and relocate the caboose to the museum with an understanding that the car would be restored. , The car had a surprisingly intact interior with upholstered benches, a heating stove, desk and ice box; however, the exterior had structural deterioration, especially on the platform beams. In 1997, Jim Rhinehart, with the help of local volunteers and State funded grants, began a multi-year restoration project which successfully concluded in 2003. This included new platform beams, a membrane roof, painting and lettering. , [top right photo caption] D&RGW #0588 at Sapinero, Colorado, October 1952