Melfort Saskatchewan - Railway history is an important part of Melfort's past and the Melfort and District Museum feels it is under served at the Museum.
 
The Museum is currently gauging public interest in possibly acquiring a caboose.
 
"We are looking for public input and we want to know if the public is interested in this. We were offered this caboose and when we were offered it we talked about the fact that while the railroad was a big part of Melfort's history, but we don't have any permanent display that reflects that in any way," Alan Porter of the Melfort and District Museum said.
 
According to Porter the story of the railroad in Melfort is not presently told.
 
Through adding a caboose they could set up a theme for the railroad.
 
"We had about six rail lines running every which way from Melfort at one time. There was a big move here for building a railway to Hudson's Bay. It didn't turn out the way that people expected it. One of the local lawyers, Odie Hill, was very involved in promoting that with the government," Porter explained.
 
There are a number of issues to deal with before acquiring the piece.
 
These include affordability, location to place it, and resources and people to do the restoration that is needed on the caboose.
 
"So we are looking for public input to see who might be out there that is interested in railway history and who might want to work on the project."
 
Porter explained that the Western Development Museum (WDM), the current owners of the caboose, is possibly willing to help move it.
 
Museums have first access to pieces like this from the Western Development Museum.
 
"The WDM follows the Museums Association of Saskatchewan standards for de-accessioning. We offer de-accessioned material first to other museums and related public institutions. The Melfort and District Museum is interested in accessioning this Caboose. We have not yet finalized a transfer," Elizabeth Scott, Curator of the Western Development Museum explained.
 
The Melfort museum has also been trying to get in contact with the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) to see if they can get a better track in place to put it on.
 
That has proven quite difficult.
 
After putting the idea on Facebook they received some interest from someone with past experience with the CP and contacts who may be interested.
 
Porter explained the condition of the caboose is rated as pretty good but it is in need of some attention.
 
The roof is leaking and will need some work.
 
"We don't have any expertise on railway equipment here, some of it is plain woodwork and it just needs time and some of it is money of course."
 
After acquiring the piece there is work to be done including physical restoration and figuring out what type of displays to attach to the caboose.
 
"The stories are in the newspapers and stuff and it will take some work to get that together to decide what exactly you would display. We don't have a lot of hardware, but we do have quite a few stories," Porter said.
 
Possible locations include on the museum grounds as well as off the museum grounds.
 
According to Porter the City of Melfort has been trying to get the CP to turn over property on the west side.
 
"If that happened that is another possibility to have it located on the west side of town. At one time they were thinking about putting one at the end of Main Street but that won't happen now unless the CN can be convinced to make some space available because the city doesn't have enough space there," he explained.
 
If you have some expertise or interest in railway history you can contact Porter or Curator Gailmarie Anderson at 306-752-5870.
 
HISTORY OF THE CABOOSE

• Built in 1912 at Canadian Pacific Railways Angus shops, Montreal;
   
  
• First went into service on the Kaministiquia subdivision on Canadian Pacific Railways Prairie Region, operating out of Fort William (now Thunder Bay) west to Ignace;
   
  
• In 1967, this caboose was moved further west to Broadview;
   
  
• After a short stay it was moved to Prince Albert where it worked between Prince Albert and Nipawin;
   
  
• In March 1968, it was used as a yard caboose at Prince Albert and was working in this capacity until the fall of 1970;
   
  
• August 1968, it was given reprieve from the wrecking hammer and donated to the Western Development Museum at North Battleford. Furnishings received with caboose in 1971.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CABOOSE

• Wood structure, vertical board exterior siding, painted red, this is a repaint job, white lettering and figures "Canadian Pacific 436148", two sets of four simplex wheels, two windows either side, small seating compartment on either side of rear hallway, floor level of compartment is even with roof of caboose, floors painted grey, white wooden seats and cupboards;
   
  
• Table, wooden top painted reddish brown, measures 122.1 x 78.7, framing and legs painted light green, 79.3 cm high;
   
  
• Chair, captain style, ten rungs in curved back, painted grey with burgundy red seat;
   
  
• Water cooler, rectangular shaped white metal tank, shiny finish, brass tap at bottom, square white metal lid knob center top;
   
  
• Stove, "McClary, London", marking "CPR 213 Van", pot belly coal and wood heater, steel guard rail around top.

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