Work officially got underway this morning to relocate a historic railroad caboose that has stood in downtown Kosciusko for more than 40 years.
The 1894-era railcar, located near the Strand Theater area, is being carefully prepared for its move to a new site closer to Highway 35 as part of a city preservation effort.
Mayor Tim Kyle previously announced that the caboose would be relocated after concerns grew about the deteriorating wooden structure supporting it. City officials say the base had weakened significantly after decades in place, raising the risk of potential collapse.
A specialized railroad contractor from Arkansas is handling the move, using portable track systems to slowly roll the caboose rather than lifting it with cranes. The process will guide the railcar along Washington Street and Wells Street before it is set back onto existing downtown tracks.
The caboose, originally brought to Kosciusko in the early 1980s and once used as a tax office, is not native to the city but has become a familiar local landmark over the decades.
Once relocated, city leaders say the long-term goal is to preserve and eventually restore the caboose, positioning it as a distinctive welcome feature near Highway 35.
During the relocation, portions of streets will be closed.
As of this report, Washington Street is closed from The Attala County Chancery Court Building to the square.
