"Four Wheel Red Work Horse"--The LH&R Caboose No. 81 / Location: Forester Ave. behind Shingle House / Built in 1890, this small four wheeler truly was a workhorse for many years. Equipped with four bunks, stove, desk and lamps, it was home to the men who had to be away from their families for several days at a time while working for the railroad. No. 81 was called into service at all hours of the day or night, especially to help clear and rerail freight and passenger cars that had derailed, and also to be part of snowplowing operations. After more powerful diesel engines came to be used, snow plowing was rarely necessary. In the later years of the railroad when it came under the jurisdiction of Conrail, No. 81 still was a partner in essential operations such as rail laying, providing shelter during storms and at the end of the day's work. As the LH&R faced demise as an operating railroad, Edmund H. Brown, Jr., then Vice-president of the line, learned of the impending destruction of the caboose and he purchased it from the Trustee of the LH&R. It was eventually deeded to the Historical Society and on May 14, 1979, No. 81 was placed on the property of the Shingle House. This important and charming artifact of a way of life and an industry essential to understanding Warwick's past has been preserved and maintained by the Society, and has brought pleasure to many visitors, ever since.
Caboose, Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad, Shingle House
|
;)