02/28/2024
On August 4th, 2018 the Lamothe family purchased the 1946 Bangor Aroostook Caboose on eBay for $16,250 from a private owner from New Jersey. The Caboose had been stored at the Naugatuck Railroad in Connecticut for many years and it took about a year to move to Palmer, MA. Howard Pinkus, the Director of the Naugatuck Railroad, staff members and the Railroad Club of New England were very accommodating throughout the moving process, allowing us to work on the Caboose while also providing us with assistance and guidance to ensure the Caboose was track worthy and ready for transport to its new home in Palmer, MA.
On its journey, the Caboose had to be inspected by each of the Railroads that were affected by its path of travel up to Palmer, including G & W R.R., Amtrak, PanAm and the Northern New London Railroad. On the final leg to its new home, traveling from Brattleboro, VT and arriving at the Central Vermont RR, the Caboose passed by the former Union Station, which is now the Steaming Tender Restaurant (28 Depot Street, Palmer) and was unloaded on our newly acquired spur, located off the Central Vermont RR line, in between Vail and Dublin Street in the town of Palmer.
In Palmer, preparations were made to accommodate the arrival of the Caboose. The railroad track was laid by DeAngelis Railroad Contractors out of Worcester, MA. We also had to put a road through the neighboring yard, with their permission, leading to the new location. A Swivel Crane, typically used for tractor trailer containers, was used to take the Caboose off the tracks and transport it to its current location at 32 Dublin Street.
Now, guests step back in time while staying in one of New England’s most unique accommodations, our 1946 Bangor Aroostook Caboose, perched on a hill overlooking the New England Central Railroad Railyard. We have meticulously and authentically restored this gem to ensure that you do not lose sight of the fact that you are in a Caboose. Sit at the original desk and enjoy one of the many books available for your leisure, or sit up in the copula while sipping a fresh cup of coffee and overlook the Railroad hard at work. At night, sit around the fire pit while roasting marshmallows for S’mores and talking about the day’s adventure. You can book your stay at the Caboose by going to our website: www.trainmastersinn.com
