A historic railroad caboose that has sat in downtown Kosciusko for more than four decades is scheduled to be relocated next month as part of an effort to preserve the aging railcar.
Mayor Tim Kyle announced during this week’s Board of Aldermen meeting that the caboose, originally built in 1894, will be moved June 9 and 10 from its current location near the Strand Theater area to a new location closer to Highway 35.
According to Kyle, the structure supporting the caboose has deteriorated significantly after more than 40 years in the same spot, raising concerns that it could eventually collapse and damage nearby property.
The caboose was originally brought to Kosciusko in the early 1980s and used for years as a tax office. While the railcar itself is not originally from Kosciusko, city leaders say it has become a recognizable local landmark.
Photo by John Hawkins of hawkinsrails.net.
A specialized railroad company from Arkansas has been hired to complete the move using portable railroad tracks rather than cranes. The caboose will reportedly be rolled down Washington Street and along Wells Street before being placed back onto the old railroad tracks that run through downtown.
Mayor Kyle said the long-term goal is to restore the caboose and eventually position it near Highway 35 as a unique welcome feature for the city.
City officials hope to preserve as much of the original structure as possible, including sections that still contain lumber dating back to the late 1800s.
Audio: Kosciusko Mayor Tim Kyle
