Its been a long time in coming, but today Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds installed an old-fashion caboose.
"These railroad tracks we put down 20 years ago in anticipation for some kind of train, engine, caboose, something," boasted Robert Shorr who sits on the Board of Directors for the South Florida Fair.
The bright red boxcar is from the 1920s or 1930s was rotting away in Sunrise, Florida and after lengthy negotiations, it has officially been donated to the Fair. It joins other train paraphernalia at Yesteryear Village like a vintage maintenance building and model trains.
Fair-goers will be able to see the exterior at this year's South Florida Fair as they begin renovating the entire caboose.
The interior will be off-limits until the 2019 fair because massive improvements that are needed.
Only on 5 we were able to get a glimpse inside and found holes in the floor, exposed walls, and general disrepair.
Robert Shorr is excited about teaching South Floridians the history of what it was like to operate the caboose.
"Literally lived in that caboose as they went up and down the coast of Florida. It had a potbelly stove to keep them warm, its got the windows up top, its an observation deck so they can look around corners, and see above other train cars, they were the lookout for the enginemen," said Robert.
Yesteryear Village is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It costs $10 for adults, $5 for kids, and $7 for seniors.
