Monon_CI&L_Caboose

Caboose post-railroad information, backstory, family photographs provided by Linda Snyder-Lundstrom

Purpose- To recover a long retired yet unique caboose; to make ready for road transport,

For today's railroad archeologist, this particular story can suitably begin in 1933. Not with the arrival of fresh, newly minted rail equipment but rather, with the end of one caboose's useful service life. Retirement, prospects for scrapping, obliteration, yet instead this favored caboose gains a new lease on an extended second life thanks to one individual, his family...

Let's start with a typewritten land lease agreement, composed & signed May 1st, 1936--

Stating a Mr. William Snyder as the lessee, for a parcel of land needed to park this--

A railroad caboose, for use as a campsite cabin, perched near and giving a picturesque view of the Tippecanoe River. Settling in well with it's new life, affectionately known as the Clubhouse by the Snyder family.

Caboose particulars, it was once owned & used by the Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville company (CI&L), better known by it's nickname the Monon Railroad. Carrying roster number 234, not much else is known. It has been confirmed that this caboose was constructed at the Monon shops in Lafayette Indiana, build date 1910.

The speculation exists that perhaps the 234 was a pure Monon homebrew, fabricated in-house. Most likely, this caboose, along with her sisters of this era, was assembled from a knock-down kit supplied by an outside railroad car builder/supplier, such as American Car & Foundry. Monon shopmen then assembled these caboose kits, perhaps adding Monon railroad-specific touches during construction.

Wood underbody frame, never was upgraded with a steel frame. Might've rolled on older archbar trucks instead of newer cast steel truck frames.

#234, like most of it's caboose peers, spent it's active years in anonymous freight service on the Monon until stricken from the roster and retired in 1933. 234 was then purchased in '33 from the Monon for the scrap cost of $10.00. Buyer and new owner of this caboose was William Snyder.

From the Snyder family photo collection, several recorded images of the 234 as this caboose began it's new life as a camping hideaway. A life not too different from active railroad service, functioning as a shelter, a vessel for those to rest, eat, do business.

As of this writing, no photos of the 234 while under Monon ownership and in road service have yet to turn up. Luckily, the Snyder camera had captured this already retired & campsite located caboose while still wearing it's original Monon livery--

A view from 1944. Already the mirroring enclosed porch/room extension wings have been added to both flanks of the 234, physically expanding the length & width of the

"Our grandparents were William Snyder (1984-1966) and Anna Frances Blosser (1989-1965). Grandpa was called Bill and was a detective on the Monon Railroad, stationed in Lafayette, Indiana. They had six children.

Rosemary (called Rosie) (1916-1991) - married names: Golden and Layton

Lela (called Edie) (1922-1999) - married names: McDonald and Garriott

F Joann (called Jo) (1925-2006) - married names: Webster and Lisko

My father was John William Snyder. He was also known as Bill, but his sisters, nieces and nephews always referred to him as Willie.

Dad always said he was 15 years old when his father bought the caboose from the Monon. He was born in May of 1918, so that would make the year 1933.

After WWII, my dad became the custodian of the caboose. From my understanding, our grandfather very seldom went back to the river after he and my grandmother divorced in the late 40’s. Most of the visitors to the Clubhouse were from my grandmother’s family, the Blosser family, friends and later their children’s in-laws.

Of the six children, the youngest, Dolly Server, survives. Another sister, Lois Bryan is pictured in our family reunion in 2006, but died in January 2007."

1933: Caboose purchased and moved to river site by flat bed truck

1934: Sleeping porch built on. Qu-Pa-Lu painted by Floyd Lucas (family friend)

1955-58: Large tree at river edge struck by lightning and falls ruining the well water

1958: Electrical lines installed by Bill Webster & Willie, 2 bulbs per section

2007: July 30, Caboose moved to Hammond, IN for restoration by NWIRPS

Yes, there really was a railroad caboose up there on the hill, somewhere. To casual observers, the only quick identifier to be seen was the still exposed cupola, situated above roof level.

One can only wonder of how many boating folks had passed by on the river, never knowing of the railroad caboose which had served as this structure's core?

The parcel of land upon which this caboose rests, the property owner has new plans which doesn't include a campsite or the 234. This vintage piece of railroad rolling stock simply has to be relocated to a new safe haven. Barring a successful rescue gesture, the Monon caboose faces a grim & certain doom--

Yet plans for yet another new life of a Back to the Future intent are already being prescribed, starting with a highway trip to northwestern Indiana, restoration of the Monon #234 to what she was once was...a countdown has begun, the clock is ticking--

Next up, teardown & removal of the extension wings, revealing the caboose hidden within...along with presenting a few other surprising Monon secrets.