Grand Haven in Ottawa County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Pere Marquette Caboose No. A-986

Photographed by Christopher Light, October 20, 2006

1. Pere Marquette Caboose No. A-986 marker

Inscription. Built in November, 1941 by the St. Louis Car Company of St. Louis, Missouri.

The caboose was truly a rolling office, complete with a coal stove, ice box, drinking water tank, sink and sleeping bunks.

The conductor used desk space provided to do his paper work and the rear brakeman sat in the cupola to watch over the train while it was in motion.

This car was equipped with the unique "Duryea Cushioned Underframe".

This caboose was at one time used on the nightly "Cannonball" freight train that ran from Muskegon, thorugh Grand Haven to Grand Rapids.

It was retired from service in 1981 and donated to the City of Grand Haven by the Chessie System in 1983.

Specification:
Construction - All steel
Length - 32 feet
Width - 10 feet
Height - 14 feet
Weight - 45,000 lbs

Erected by Pere Marquette 1223 Preservation Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1941.

Location. 43° 4.048′ N, 86° 13.71′ W. Marker is in Grand Haven, Michigan, in Ottawa County. It is on Jackson Street near North First Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Grand Haven MI 49417, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Michigan,

specifically in Greater Grand Rapids,

and in one of the Lake Michigan Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

are within walking distance of this marker: Pere Marquette Auto Box Car No 72222 (a few steps from this marker); Grand Trunk Western, Wood Caboose No. 77915 (a few steps from this marker); Pere Marquette Steam Locomotive (within shouting distance of this marker); Grand Trunk Western Standard Coaling Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Grand Trunk Western Bridge Approach Signal (within shouting distance of this marker); Model 5 Autoflag "Wig-Wag" Crossing Signal (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Reformed Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Akeley Building (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Haven.

Also see . . . The official web site of the Pere Marquette Historical Society. (Submitted on April 17, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Pere Marquette caboose No. A-986 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Christopher Light, October 20, 2004

2. Pere Marquette caboose No. A-986

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2008, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 2,941 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 27, 2008, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. 2. submitted on January 17, 2008, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.