Technological advances and changes in the railroad industry rendered the caboose obsolete by the 1980's. A computerized blinking device now marks the end of a freight train. The 503 spent several years out of service at Kirk Yard in Gary before coming to Griffith. It has been restored to show how it functioned as the living and working quarters for the men on the long freight runs. The caboose also features pictures, historical displays and artifacts.
MAINTENANCE OF WAY CAR
This car was built by Pullman Company in 1943 as a troop B sleeper car. After the war it was bought by the "J" and used as a maintenance of way car, accompanying a large flatcar-based crane. In its last years at Kirk Yard, the car was used to store tools and equipment. Displayed in the car is our collection of railroad tools used by section crews in the Griffith area, along with photos, historical displays and other artifacts. Eventually, this car will feature our Old Railroaders Log displaying photos and stories of some of our town's railroad men.
TRANSFER CABOOSE 197
The last of the "J" transfer cabooses, this car was used in railroad operations in Kirk Yard and on runs of less than 20 miles. The car originally contained a heater, benches, a storage cabinet and equipment that monitored train operations. The insides of the car have been removed and it is scheduled for renovation this summer. When renovation is completed, the car will temporarily house a model railroad display, set up through the cooperation of The Ridge Model Railroad Club. At Christmas time, the 197 will be transformed into a "Christmas Caboose," where Santa Claus will visit with children.
MODEL R.R. CABOOSE
We hope to acquire another caboose in which to set up a permanent model railroad display with the cooperation of The Ridge Model Railroad Club. This display would be operational when the Park and Museum is open.
DEPOT MUSEUM
This Grand Trunk Combination Depot was moved to its present site and renovated through the efforts of Griffith residents, schoolchildren, organizations, businesses and the Town Council. It was opened as a museum in 1981. The main room of the Depot features a wide variety of railroad artifacts and displays, while the smaller storage area is devoted to town history. Among the feature' of The Griffith History Room are: a map of the first town real estate development; town documents, including real estate abstracts, tax records, school records and photographs.
WATCHMAN’S SHANTY
Before the advent of modern railroad signals, a watchman with a stop sign controlled pedestrian and automobile traffic, much like today's school crossing guards. This EJ&E Shanty provided warmth and shelter for the watchman between trains. The Shanty was rehabbed in 1993 by Jeff Bingham as his Eagle Scout Project.
RAILROAD TELEPHONE BOOTHS
Two concrete phone booths, once located along the Erie right of-way in Griffith, were relocated to the Park in 1996 by Matt Michels as his Eagle Scout Project. Future plans call for replacing the missing doors, then adding telephones and, with the help of an Ameritech technician, making the phones operational for intra-park use.
C&O SPEEDER
This small, kerosene-driven vehicle was used to transport section crews and other railroad personnel along the C&O tracks in the Griffith area.
"THE GREEN"
The grassy area we call "The Green" is used as park land and auxiliary parking for special events. Ties from Griffith's first railroad, the Michigan Central, can be seen in "The Green." Future plans for the area include: a larger picnic grove, a car-zebo (a gazebo built on a railroad flatcar base); and a storage building.
EXPANSION AREA
Future plans call for the acquisition of additional railcars to expand our display space. Possible additions to the Park include a passenger car, a box car, and a dining car, and would be placed in line with the existing cars. As a final acquisition, an engine is also within the realm of possibility.
Griffith Historical Society, Inc. P.O. Box 678 Griffith, IN 46319; E-mail:DepotKaren@aol.com
