Local Boy Scout Coordinates Restoration

By 2004, the exterior had faded to pink. The interior hadn't been touched since its last major Rock Island shopping. Noticing the caboose in this sad condition, Tinley Park resident Mike McLean started restoring the caboose as part of his Eagle Scout project. Mike began by researching what the caboose was and what is was supposed to look like. Mike began by contacting the Rock Island Technical Society and the Blackhawk Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and began to acquire information about the caboose and how it should look. From there, he began to coordinate the work to restore the badly deteriorated interior.

By May 16, 2005, the lead-based paint in the interior had been removed and parts of the wood floor and walls were replaced.

RI 17869 freshly repainted as NIRC 2002 (Photo by Mike McLean)

In October of 2005, the exterior of the caboose was repainted by Bruce Johnson of Tinley Park, a retired Chicago police officer and a self-described “journeyman painter” who had graciously donated his time and labor. Since the Park District did not have the correct painting information or lettering stencils, the caboose was repainted back into the inauthentic scheme it has worn since being displayed at McCarthy Park.

While this is a minor setback for those who wanted a historically correct paint job, thanks to Mr. Johnson's generous donation and quality work, the caboose has a fresh coat of paint to protect it from the elements for many years. With the outside taken care of, Mike's next step was to finish the interior by completing the upholstery, fixtures and painting the interior.

By March of 2006 the interior was finished. In tribute to the Rock Island, its employees, and the men and women who helped him with the project, Mike hung photos and maps provided to him inside the caboose.

On Saturday, May 13, 2006 Mike gave a full report on the restoration at a meeting of the Chicagoland Friends of the Rock Island.

With the caboose restored, Mike thanked the members of the Rock Island Technical Society and many others for the support, help and information that they have provided. When Mike started this project in August of 2004 he “had no idea of the history of the Rock Island or the caboose.” Now, he has “a wide understanding of its history and importance. It has been a great learning experience for me.” With the completion of this project, Mike has received the rank of Eagle Scout.

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