Does anybody know the status of caboose 1279 or 1289? they were renumbered 11607 and 11617 at the time of the merger, then renumbered 12517 and 12541 after being rebuilt in 1990. The most recent info I can find shows 12517 still active in 2010 parked on a siding at Grande Junction Colorado. Just curious if they have been reitred or are still on the roster, and where they are today.
12517 is up there 4 ever I think, kind of out of the way, but still in service. Was 12541 the other caboose we had in GJ at one time? I cant remember what number it was, it met its demise when it found itself between a couple units, and 30 loads in emergency at about 20 mph. I am thinking it was taken to a property not too far from GJ.
Thats great info, thanks guys ! Does anybody know if its still used as a caboose, or might it be a shoving platform? Great to see an original 1200 class SLSF caboose still in service !
Yea its still a caboose, but not used very often. Needs a set of wheels under it that arent so flat in spots, the old girl rattles pretty good at speed. I have pulled it a few miles. It was pretty darned cool when I opened the door here in GJ on a Green GP38-2 to check the engine oil, and saw some Red/Orange Frisco paint under the doors, to think we had a Frisco GP38-2 and a Frisco caboose, so many hundreds of miles away from any Frisco track, and so long after the merger was astounding. We have not had any 4 axle power here in a long time. I like to think my grandpa had ran that engine, and pulled that caboose too.
The 1289 was donated 10/30/1997 by BNSF to the Lake Co. Historical Museum in Two Harbors, MN., who renumbered it JFZ 111493 (no idea what JFZ stands for). In 2000 it was leased to the Cliff Northshore Mining Co. where it remains in service today. Roger
Thats pretty cool. So now I know of 3 Frisco cabooses that still operate, 1279, 1289, and a bay window. I think its awesome. It would be fun to take my oldest boy (he's 9) on a trip and see one of them traveling the rails.
Roger, Do you have or know of photographs, specific address location or any other information on these cabooses? Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark
