In 1986, the red caboose was donated to the City of Waldo by the Seaboard System Railroad (now CSX Transportation). Waldo residents had shown interest in obtaining a caboose for the community for several years, citizens such as Bubba Hudson and former town-clerk Bobbi Smith were part of the effort. Mr. Manuel Youngblood contacted the Seaboard System Railroad to inquire about the possibility of donating the retired caboose to the city. SSR generously agreed to provide the caboose to the city and work was underway by the city to install the required rock, railroad ties, plates, and other hardware needed to house the caboose.

Retired railroad worker, Pete Rivers, supervised a city work crew to install the newly acquired caboose and Mayor Louie Davis contracted W.W. Gay and Co. for the crane necessary to move the caboose from the railway to the rail display in Veteran’s Memorial Park. The Waldo Women’s Club cleaned the area of the caboose and planted shrubbery, with the palms planted there paying tribute to WWI veterans. The caboose was then used for the community’s Railroad Days and Santa at the Caboose Celebrations for many years.

Presently, the caboose is a railroad museum which is operated by the Waldo Area Historical Society in partnership with the City of Waldo. A recent installment of a James Bond display which illustrates the connection between Waldo and the James Bond book, ‘Live and Let Die’ by Ian Fleming is proudly displayed. The display was created in partnership between W.A.H.S and James Bond enthusiast, Matt Sherman. We welcome anyone interested in the caboose’s history to make an appointment to see inside!

Tours Available by Appointment
Email: info@waldohistoricalsociety.org
Phone: (352) 448-6058