A little railroad in the woods
Today, we commemorate the birthday of Fr. Edward “Butch” Schleicher, a veteran, a priest, and a lifelong railfan. His unique vision and passion are the bedrock upon which Caboose Falls was built. We are forever grateful for the dream he so beautifully set in motion.
We’ve always tried to share positive stories about history, growth, the occasional folly and the simple joys of exploring nature. On most days that’s easy to do, but . . .
Continue reading “Penn Power’s Poisonous Path”
After the recent chill in the air and a week filled with challenges, it feels like a perfect time to focus on some of the wonderful things happening at Caboose Falls. The magic here is alive and well, and we have the photos and stories to prove it!
Continue reading “Turning a New Leaf”
Some of the best treasures are found when you least expect them. Recently, our boys took their grandfather on a hike through the main ravine at Caboose Falls. While exploring, they spotted a glint of glass half-buried in the earth. Finding bits of glass isn’t unusual here, but this time it was more than a fragment; it was an entire bottle.
Continue reading “History in a Bottle”
Our ongoing mission to improve safety and spruce up the place is a labor of love, and this past week was a wonderfully productive one, full of heavy repairs, unexpected wildlife, and a surprising new pastime.
Continue reading “Ties, Hinges, and Crawler Things”
If you’re a fan of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad, you know one thing for certain: good photography of their transfer cabooses is rare. The gritty work of these cars kept them away from the spotlight.
Continue reading “P&LE 565: Caught in the Wild”
There’s nothing quite like stumbling upon a vintage caboose. For us, they are like time machines taking us back to the ‘good-old-days’ of railroading. Recently our travels, crossed paths with three Monongahela Railway survivors: #69 and #70 standing sentry in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and #66 in Warren, Ohio.
Continue reading “Field Trip: Monongahela Railway Cabooses”
Heavy rain transformed Caboose Falls into a classroom again this week, offering all of us a firsthand look at how water moves across the property. While the downpour kept us tucked inside the cabooses much of the day, a few very brief breaks in the downpour revealed some problems.
Continue reading “The Downpour Diaries: Why We’re Grateful for a Soggy Week”Beyond Caboose Falls—Preserving the Stories Behind Cabooses
We’ve added a new page to our website dedicated to the nicknames and slang used by railroad crews who worked in cabooses.
Continue reading “New on the Site: Celebrating Caboose History”