Caboose GN X256

Classic Trains General Discussion
1

I just got Great Northern Railway Caboose X256 and transported it from Biddeford, ME to Lancaster, NH. I am going to start restoring it and fixing it up inside and out. I would like to start a website to document the restoration and repair process. Can anyone recommend a decent (preferably free) site that would be suitable for this? Are there any you would recommend avoiding?

On a related note, I am also looking for information about my caboose’s past. Pictures, anecdotes, etc. If anyone can help here, I would appreciate it.

I intend to live in the caboose upon completion of the project. With that in mind, the interior will not be a “historical restoration” by any means, although I still intend for it to have the feel of a caboose. The exterior, though, I would like to look as close to original as possible (hence the request for pictures). I have already joined the GNRHS and am looking for as much information as possible there as well.

jlampke introduced me to this site a couple weeks ago. So far, I have found a lot of interesting information. Keep up the good work.

2

It was built in 1948, it would have had the slogan “Taking Chances, Takes Lives”, and it was built in the St Cloud shops. http://www.greatnorthernempire.net/ has pictures of the same series that would give you a good idea of what it looked like originally.
Randy

3

Try to get in touch with either Ben Ringnalda, who owns St. Nicholas Mountain,
GN Moutain-series observation or Eric Hopp who is restoring coach-dinette1146.
Both of these guys have websites devoted to their efforts. For Ben’s site:
www.stnicholasmountain.com
For Eric Hopp’s site:
www.erixrailcar.com
I’m sure that these guys could assist you in getting a site up-at least with
technical data.
Congratulations on your find. I’ve wanted to do something like that for
years, but have not the means.