BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA (WENY) — A historic Soo Line train caboose that sat on a Granville Summit family’s property for more than three decades has reached the end of the line. Built in 1906, the caboose was purchased by Joey and Ella Foust in 1989 and was moved on Monday (Feb. 2) to the Heritage Village and Farm Museum in Troy, Pennsylvania.
“It’s bittersweet for our family. It’s a sad day for us to see this go, but we’re overjoyed that, where it’s going, what’s going to be the love and hard work put into it to bring it back to its original state… We couldn’t be happier,” said Libby Foust, a family member who donated the caboose.
She added, “We moved this railroad station in 1968, so my mom was a real railroad buff, (and) it meant a lot to get this caboose. So, mom and refurbished the inside, and it’s been a real great addition to our farm all these years.”
Now the caboose will sit at the Heritage Village and Farm Museum at Alparon Park in Troy. Officials said that ties to the railroad date back to 1854-1972 in Bradford County.
“This is the Civil War railroad to the Elmira Prison Camp. So, as far back as the Civil War, this was very important,” said Debbie Lutz, a board member of the Bradford County Heritage Museum.
She added, “The flood of ‘72 took out seven bridges between Canton and Trout Run, and the train never ran again. There’s a lot of history to the trains in all of Bradford County. Here, they used to bring folks to the Troy Fair. The Troy Fair is on its 150th event, so this is a nice addition to a piece of history.”
Officials hope to complete renovations and have the caboose open to the public in time for the Troy Fair. The fair will run from July 26th through August 1st.
“Mom and Dad would be happy about this. I know they’re watching us, and it was a big day. Family came from many different states to be part of this. I just think it’s going to be a legacy that lives on thanks to my parents…” said Foust.