Caboose Restoration

The Life of Caboose 999726

Not too long ago, this caboose was derelict on the BNSF railroad. It had sat on the tracks, decommissioned from use. It wasn't until someone lit the caboose on fire that the City of Grants and Grants MainStreet saw the caboose as a hazard and eye sore. In the early 2010's, the City of Grants and the Chamber of Commerce made a plan to move the caboose into City Hall Park and for it to be something the community could tour and learn from. The transfer was completed, but the inside was still too charred and inhospitable for the community to enjoy. That is when the Caboose Restoration task force was created...

Restoration Work

Demolition & Cleaning

When the task force entered the Caboose in 2018 everything was charred, but there was still warped plywood, rusty nails, bird droppings and feathers, and loads of graffiti. The group began right away at chipping away plywood, knocking off nail heads, and putting a fresh coat of paint on the inside.

Basic Restoration

Once the demolition and clean-up work was finished, the group began asking for donations, created a "Buy-a-Brick" campaign, and solicited sponsorship opportunities from local businesses. This work had been stalled by turn-over in the organization, and was prolonged further by COVID-19. Luckily, it provided enough time to have a lot of the basic materials (new plywood, windows, doors) provided by generous and willing sponsors. The work is planned to gear back up in the summer of 2022. Once the basic improvements are made the real fun work begins.

Advanced Improvements

Once the basic restoration is complete, Grants MainStreet Project intends on remodeling the caboose further. The improvements will include: tile floors, sheet rock and paneling, promo. material racks, benches, seats, pictures, the caboose bricks, and an icebox/cooler/refrigerator that will have ice cream for sale. Other things like lighting, AC, and paint touch up are also included in the improvements. We have many great museums and attractions downtown, and we believe that the caboose will make a wonderful addition to the things to see and do in Grants, NM.

Grants Caboose Restoration

Honoring the Railroad that made the city of Grants possible.