Tim Thompson, a railroad spokesman, said it’s not unusual for the Alaska Railroad to sell surplus property — in the past, their sales have included items like locomotives and self-propelled railcars. But the caboose, with its prominent role on the back of a train, seems to hold a romantic place in railroad lore.

The occasional sales draw plenty of interest, Thompson said. Cabooses are scattered across Alaska, serving as everything from storage sheds to Boy Scout camp buildings. Surplus rail fans include former Gov. Frank Murkowski, who converted a railroad car into a part-time home off Chena Pump Road.

The oldest of the cars was built in 1948 by Pacific Car and Foundry Co., featuring “plenty of storage” and three chairs. A pair of newer cabooses were built in 1976 by International Car Co.

The truly luxurious option is a caboose bought in 2000 from Canadian National Railways, which is the largest of the four and has double sinks, shelving and counter space.

Anyone who happens to be in the Anchorage train yard Thursday can stop in for an inspection. Final bids are due Aug. 6.

UAF creates cold weather barley

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, July 9, 2009.