UPDATE: The City of Kosciusko has decided against selling the red caboose on Washington Street and will instead work to rehab its current location or relocate it entirely.
Since the news of the city’s decision to sell the caboose spread Wednesday, Kosciusko Mayor Tim Kyle said he has received numerous calls offering to help raise/donate funds to renovate or relocate the train car, with a few business owners even offering places inside the city where it can be displayed.
“For about a year, we’ve been searching for a place to relocate the train car with no luck,” Kyle told BreezyNews. “But now that we have options, I would love to see it moved to somewhere that is more visible in the community.”
A lot of the wood on the structure that currently houses the train car is rotten or in very poor shape, creating a concern that it could be a collapse hazard in the future if it’s not repaired or moved to a more sturdy location.
Kyle said he has been approached by rail road and train enthusiasts groups who offered to put the city in touch with companies that specialize in moving train cars. He went on to stay that when he first started researching the cost of relocating the train car a year ago, the lowest estimate he received was approximately $10,000.
At the next meeting of the Board of Aldermen, the board will rescind the vote to sell the train car.
After that, the board will make a decision on how to proceed.
Click HERE for more about the background of the train car and how it arrived in Kosciusko.
April 16: The City of Kosciusko is selling the little red train car that sits just off the square on Washington Street.
During Tuesday night’s meeting of the board of aldermen, the board approved to sell caboose, also approving an advertisement for those interested in buying it.
The ad includes a stipulation that whoever purchases the train car will have to have it moved within 90 days of the winning bid.
Originally brought to Kosciusko in the early 1980s by Bill Stewart, the wood cupola caboose has housed a tax firm and a few other businesses over the years.
The City of Kosciusko took possession of the caboose in 2015, with some restoration efforts completed on the western side of the car, including a “Welcome to Downtown Kosciusko” message added a few years later.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Kosciusko Mayor Tim Kyle said the main reason for the city wanting to sell the train car was due to condition of the support structure housing the caboose and the caboose’s location close to the ongoing renovation of the Strand Theater.
Kyle went on to say a potential buyer had already approached him, expressing interest in purchasing the caboose.
For more background of Kosciusko’s little red caboose, click the picture below.
Photo by John Hawkins of hawkinsrails.net.
Pam Patton
April 16, 2025 at 10:54 AMI’m sad, I LOVE that part of our downtown. It is unique, memorable and historic too.
Chandra Ellis
April 16, 2025 at 11:12 AMKosciusko now you all are just running out. Why take away a little part of history. You all must going to sell the statue of Thaddeus too.
LeAnna Halderman
April 16, 2025 at 11:30 AMWhy not just move it to another location? That’s crazy.
Me
April 16, 2025 at 11:46 AMIt’s ridiculous to sell a part of Kosciusko History! I think the citizens of Kosciusko should have a say in the decision to sell it.
Concerned
April 16, 2025 at 11:58 AMWhy not take some of the money thats going to “The Strand Project” that Im sure not that many people will use and build a new platform for an Icon in town?
Tim Kyle
April 16, 2025 at 12:37 PMI have been looking for a place to move the railcar for a year with no luck. I had hoped to find a location somewhere on the bypa** where it could be seen, maybe on the old railroad tracks but never got permission. A large portion of the wood on the railcar is rotten and it has been sitting on the same timbers for 45 years and we don’t want it to fall.
Eric Liscom
April 17, 2025 at 9:35 AMWho do i contact about this car? Woods not that hard to replace….i know a guy in Arkansas who would take it and restore it…
Jim Gilbert
April 16, 2025 at 1:30 PMI think it would be a mistake to take it down. I remember the day it was installed. A little maintenance would go a long way. Has the trestle structure been examined by an Engineer? Pressure treated creosote timber have a very long life span. The Caboose just is too iconic to throw away, uh sell.
just a civilian
April 16, 2025 at 2:39 PMi’m sure there are plenty of carpenters around who would help with the structural issues for little to no cost, just for the sake of their town. it’s just sad i have pictures of me as a kid hanging off of it and im 21 now. would love to maybe get some with my future kids in my hometown. we have plenty of capable and im sure willing men/ women around to donate their time for sake of the community.
Concerned Citizen
April 16, 2025 at 3:40 PMWhy cant the chamber have it? It would be a great addition to the pocket park or somewhere else! They could definitely find a place.
Sandra Thornton
April 16, 2025 at 4:57 PMI can’t believe you guys are selling a part of our history. Come now we are doing away with some more of the history of Kosciusko . It would be great to hang pictures and stories that happened in our town.
Catherine
April 16, 2025 at 9:44 PMAs far as I am concerned it is a historical landmark for Kosciusko and it should not be sold.
Tammy
April 17, 2025 at 1:58 PMGlad there not selling the it its been here alot of years
Brown
April 17, 2025 at 3:45 PMGive it to Big Daddy
Wallace Simmons
April 17, 2025 at 4:49 PMThat’s great
Judy
April 18, 2025 at 10:54 AMI’m very Thankful that y’all have decided not to sell the Caboose Tim. Even though I don’t live in the city limits, I frequent the City Of Kosciusko every day each week. I think it is such a unique part of Downtown. It would be Great to move it out on the Bypa** so visitors to our Community would see it. It would be an inviting attraction to the entrance of the thoroughfare.
Joe
April 20, 2025 at 8:55 PMWhy not move it to the old Leonard’s lot? If it’s got to be moved.