Please see the following links for views of caboose SLSF 1257 (1200 - 1274). http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmett_ns_tullos/1178745140/sizes/l/ (left side, A end) http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2002598 (right side) http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2002603 (right side, A end) http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2002597 (right side, B end) http://www.alabamarailpics.com/files/FriscoCityAL_Cab_sm.jpg (right side, B end) http://www.flickr.com/photos/will-jac/4521798233/sizes/l/ (right side, B end) This is one of the International Car Company all steel extended (or wide) vision cupola style cabooses constructed in 1957. This particular car was built in Kenton, OH. This caboose was originally numbered 257. It was renumbered by the Frisco by adding 1000 to the original car number in 1968. This was part of a system wide renumbering plan adopted for cabooses when a new computer operating system was installed. The car retains it roof access ladders, peak and lateral running boards. These had been removed by the railroad from most surviving cabooses of this type. In the photographs note the end flashing marker light in the end roof eve. Also, at the upper corner on the side is the cast owner trust plate. This was a physical reminder of the equipment trust financing arrangement that helped purchase the caboose. Unfortunately, the proper caboose identity is currently unclear as it is unnumbered. Any additional information that can help us identify the specific car number would be greatly appreciated. Please help! The caboose has been nicely painted; however, in the second photo the "Ship it on the Frisco!" logo appears a little small and condensed. It would be terrific if it could be restored with the proper Frisco reporting marks SL-SF and number. The car is located in a city park. The park is northeast of the highway between Mulberry Street (to the north) and Oak Street (to the south). The caboose is located at 4380 Bowden Street (a/k/a Alabama State Highway 21), Frisco City, AL. Please see http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...oid=ZHkr8ajKpE0Y0fVstbQ1Hg&cbp=12,289.32,,0,5 and http://www.bing.com/maps/#JnE9eXAuZ...uMTY1MzQ4MjA4MTA0NCU3ZS04Ni4yNDczNDc1MTg4MDE3 Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark Update 5/9/2010 - The identity of this car has been resolved as SLSF 1257. MKD
While on vacation in Southern Alabama on June 23, 2015 we drove to Frisco City to check out caboose 1257 on display there. I was glad to get the opportunity to see it, she is surprisingly straight with very nice body sides and platform ends. Some of the glass is out and she does have the rust under the cupola like all of the 1200s do. The paint is in pretty bad shape and nobody seems to be taking care of her. I really wanted to bring her home with me and restore her properly but my plate is full already and she is just so far from Tulsa. 1257 would be an excellent caboose for a restoration just because she is so straight and complete. I bet she could be acquired from the city if someone wanted to tackle the project.
