On The Last Train To Moclips!
The caboose was purchased in 1973 from the NPRY South Tacoma yard, trucked down to the beach in Moclips and became a beach cabin for many years. The new owner made modifications by extending a 13' bay window section and shower in the rear. The property was sold and became a nightly rental, and a very popular one as it is right on the beach of the Pacific Ocean. It recently changed hands again, and would have been destroyed to make way for a new home.Moclips was the furthest west of the entire NP line with a great old depot that stood here from 1905 until the late 1950's when it was torn down due to neglect. The property (a 4 block parcel) now belongs to Washington State Parks and we have succeeded in partnering with them to rebuild this unusual depot in the same spot where the original was located to become our brand new museum. Recently the old railroad grade alongside where the depot will be built was cleared of heavy brush. Gary Hulet graded the spot and built a form where the cement pad would be poured. This is the location where the caboose was installed. During this work we found numerous old spikes and amazingly, 6 original railroad ties, five of which are still in a row with metal plates and spikes. This area will be preserved as part of our Northern Pacific historical heritage. We will be in need of advise on how to properly restore this NP caboose. If you know someone that can provide input and would like to participate with this restoration, please contact us at kelly@moclips.org or call the Museum at 360-276-4441.
November 24th, 2008: Historical society members, Chuck Austin, Sid Curtright, Pat Ohlsen, and Kelly Calhoun hard at work preparing the caboose to be relocated.
Levee Lumber donated plywood and 2x4's which have been used to cover up the holes. December 1st, 2008: Jeff Emery and his partner Gordy Norris removed 5 trees that were in the way of the caboose's eventual move. Several stumps were removed.
The entire area south of the caboose was so wet, the soil turned to quicksand. Tomorrow Jeff & Gordy will be back to remove the final tree, tear apart what's left of the massive deck and fill dirt. Historical society members Chuck Austin, Lee Marriott, and Kelly Calhoun also will return to work - hopefully not in the rain .
Artifacts from the caboose were found in the holes around the base. Most were rusted metal works, such as an original ladder, but will be useful as models to obtain patterns to replicate and restore this north beach relic. December 3rd, 2008: It was a beautiful sunny fall morning. While the caboose waited, there was activity along the old railroad grade at the cornerof 4th and Railroad Avenue in Moclips. Gary Hulet set to work pouring the concrete pad. While I took the heavy duty of more pictures, Kelly did some clean-up around our Moclips Depot Project sign.
December 5th, 2008: With the help of Les Strandberg & Terry Rabusitz, Jeff Emery returned today to begin the process of jacking up the caboose and repositioning it so that it sits at an angle to the road. This way the flatbed can be placed under it lengthwise and the actual move can be negotiated. The goal was to be on the road by the afternoon but Jeff labored long into the day and the work proved too much for one day. Tomorrow, by 10 a.m. the caboose is scheduled for transport.
December 6th, 2008: Caboose on the move! Slowly, with considerable care, Jeff, Les, Gary, and Terry loaded the caboose to take it for it's last trek through Moclips. Though rain was in the forecast, the sky remained cloudy & partly sunny throughout the trip. Several local citizens as well as visitors came out to cheer the move. This group (above right) thought there would be lots more people, but this weekend in Moclips proved to be slow. Well, except for the excitement we generated with the caboose move. Here at the edge of the world this was a large crowd, and the move was a sight to behold - What a great float this would be for the Kelper's Day Parade! (Wonder if they'd do this again for us in September!?) The caboose made the 7 block trip down Pacific Avenue very slowly, making surenot to take out any power lines along the way.
It is now sitting on the original 1904 Northern Pacific railroad grade. This achievement is a wonderful step toward the realization of the Moclips NPRY Depot Project. This incredible feat was accomplished by many individuals who helped the historical society save this century old icon from being destroyed. We owe our sincerest gratitude to the following: A special thank you goes to Paul Barry for donating the caboose. |
