• 36°
franklin county times

Caboose moves to new home in downtown Red Bay

Visitors and community members alike came together in downtown Red Bay May 4 to watch as Jeremy Funderburk and his team transported a caboose from its temporary location at a trucking company lot just up the road to its new home across the street from the Red Bay Museum.

The lot, next door to the Red Bay Hotel, is also the site of Red Bay’s nearly 120-year-old wooden water tank, which was moved there from a couple blocks away July 29, 2021.

In its original location, next to the railroad and the old Red Bay Depot, the water tank was used to fill steam locomotives.

For Wednesday’s big move, Baxter Crane and Rigging lifted the caboose off a trailer onto a section of railroad rails and crossties formerly prepared for this purpose at the site. It’s all part of a plan for Red Bay to have a railroad park.

Red Bay Museum Curator Scotty Kennedy said this new focal point for Red Bay has been and continues to be a group effort, made possible by individuals, businesses, the Civitan Club and the Red Bay Museum.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without everyone in Red Bay working together,” Kennedy said. “Jeremy Funderburk has really been the backbone behind this. He found the caboose that was donated to the museum.”

Kennedy went on to explain that Funderburk is a contractor for the railroad. He put down the rails and crossties, as well as took care of the shipping.

“I’d like to thank John Holt for moving the caboose from Brandon, Miss., at no charge,” Kennedy added. “It takes a lot of people working together to make all of this happen.”

He said although there are cabooses on display in other towns, Red Bay’s is distinctive, being on exhibit alongside the old wooden water tower.

“It’s been almost a year-long process to get to this second stage of moving the caboose as part of our journey in creating a railroad park,” said Red Bay Mayor Charlene Fancher.

The caboose’s relocation drew plenty of onlookers. Red Bay residents Telford and Alice Hamm were among the crowd of folks watching the move take place.

“I think the development of a railroad park in downtown Red Bay is wonderful,” said Alice Hamm. “I’ve lived in Red Bay 54 years. This will be an important and interesting feature of our community, and it’s a good way to help preserve our history.”

Evelyn Bruce and Joe Williams traveled from Lauderdale County to watch the event unfold. Williams explained he remembers watching movies at Red Bay’s old Bay Theatre that used to be located on the lot.

“I remember when I was growing up in Vina, and I could hear the blowing of the train whistle coming from across the field,” Williams said. “Seeing all this brings back a few memories.”

For Kennedy, it’s an event that’s been eagerly anticipated for some time.

“With help from contributors, the museum bought the lot and deeded it to the city,” explained Kennedy. “The railroad park is a joint effort with the city.”

The caboose is from the Illinois Central Railroad, a railroad line that once ran through Red Bay. It is owned by the museum, a situation made possible through a donation from railroad enthusiast and collector Cameron Guild, of Brandon, Miss.

“John Holt was nice enough to let the caboose sit on his lot since last fall,” said Kennedy. “We greatly appreciate everyone who is contributing to making the railroad park a reality.”

Next stages include work to sandblast and repaint the caboose, as well as further develop the park with landscaping, lighting, signage, a depot and other pieces to complement the park.

“This is another monumental day for Red Bay,” said Fancher. “It’s very exciting to see the stages of development of the railroad park being realized. This is just the beginning, and the best is yet to come.”

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

Franklin County

RCS holds annual Black History Month program 

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: American Legion Posts 64 and 120 – ‘Veterans Strengthening America’

Franklin County

RHS graduate crowned Miss Northwest Shoals

Franklin County

RHS graduate crowned Miss UNA

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: In memoriam – Monuments honor the fallen of Franklin

High School Sports

RHS senior chosen as Bryant-Jordan Region 8 Scholar winner

High School Sports

Russellville High School ladies soccer team members participate in annual Night to Shine

x