The old community caboose has been around Princeton for quite some time. What started out as a thought for the late Stan Thompson years ago, became reality. Thompson thought that Princeton should have a caboose, so he ended up getting one. (Actually, the story is told that Stan ordered the caboose and sort of forgot about it until one day, it showed up in town!) He paid a small fee for the caboose and as they say, the rest is history.
The caboose has had a few homes in Princeton; on the Museum grounds, at the Chamber as the Visitor Center and at the fair grounds —eventually making its way to ownership by the Vermilion Trail Society (VTS) and it’s permanent home along the Kettle Valley Railway. (KVR) The society wanted the caboose as they felt it would help to preserve the history of the KVR.
Each time the caboose was moved, it was moved by Stan Thompson, Rollo Ceccon and crews.
Bob Hart and Judy Short researched and obtained the information on the caboose that had traversed this area, in order to have Princeton’s caboose restored so it could represent the original. Edith from Princeton Paint and Decorating was able to match the paint to give the caboose it’s proper colouring.
Earlier this year, VTS underwent a change in executive. Wendy Bentley became director in charge of the caboose as it was a project she really wanted to see completed. Bentley along with the help of VTS members and other volunteers got to work as soon as the weather warmed and made it possible. Sanding, caulking, priming and painting as well as repairs has resulted in an impressive looking piece of history. “ I am very pleased and a huge thank you goes out to all the people who helped with this project,” said Bentley. “An extra special thanks to professional painter, Wayne Hooper for his interest and dedication in seeing this project to completion.”
VTS hopes to someday have the caboose operate as a trail information center.