Caboose Photos
Initial: 9/30/2008 Last Revised:09/30/2008

The caboose was originally with the Pittsburgh & Lake Eire and built in about 1949.   Dick bought it two years ago and then arranged to have it moved by rail to the Ohio Central yard in Coshocton.   The final ~ 5 mile move to Mill Creek Central was made over the highway.  The following photos record the highway move on September 29, 2008.

Before jumping into the actual move it is appropriate to point out that considerable advance preparation was required.  A level site had to prepared and ties, rail and ballast installed.   The brake linkage on the caboose had to be disconnected so that the body could be lifted off the trucks and transported separately.   The route had to be surveyed and the height of all overhead wires determined (a clearance of 14' 2" was required).   

The job started a little before 8 AM and was complete and equipment gone at about 1:30 PM. 

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	Installing some of the crane counterweights which are transported on a trailer.
	Hooking to the caboose body using a spreader bar and 4 cables.
	Lifting the body off the trucks --opps --- one set of links still connected.
	Dan disconnected those last links
	Try to lift it again --- success!
	Swing it around to the low trailer.
	Dick had brought a bunch of ties to use as blocking.
	Darn! - the battery box will hit the tires.
	Cutting off the battery box mounting bolts.
	Dick and Dan pulling the box clear.
	The trucks are free too.
	The trucks are a snap to lift.
	You have to watch both ends of the crane.
	A light kiss --- no harm no foul.
	Holes were cut in frame to facilitate tie down --- photo is after fire was extinguished.
	The 20 ton body requires serious tie downs.
	The 3 ton trucks also must be secured.
	The crew is efficient at readying the crane for transport.
	The caboose northbound on Ohio 83.
	At the corner of Ohio 83 and Ohio 16.
	Turning off Ohio 16 onto County Road 6.
	Dan is making sure the caboose clears a low wire.
	Up a hill on CR 6
	Over a hump on CR 6
	Downhill on CR6
	We finally made it to MCC.
	One last hurdle.
	This was another kiss --- a screeching one.
	The caravan - crane plus 3 trailers (crane parts, trucks and caboose body).
	Note how the wheels on the crane turn.
	Setting the crane pads.
	The crane is ready for action
	Attaching the spreader and cables.
	The trucks are unloaded first.
	Truck one.
	Truck two.
	Trucks are ready for the body.
	Attaching to the body the second time was a snap.
	Up it comes -- pull out the trailer.
	The caboose is longer than the distance between the crane and the tree.
	Yep --- the caboose will smack the crane cab.
	Solution - rotate the caboose.
	Looks easy.
	Just about there.
	Aligning it with the trucks
	Lower it on the front truck.
	Lower it on the rear truck
	Push the caboose into it's final resting place.
	Dick and Dan removing the tie blocking from trailer.
	Dan is taking a break in the caboose.
	Think of the decorating possibilities!
	Loading up the equipment.
	Equipment leaving
	There they go.
	The caboose seems to fit.
	Yes, it really fits.