Saving New Brighton's Caboose

For years the most popular exhibit at New Brighton, Minnesota's History Center  has been a 1950 Great Northern X-265 steel caboose, which was open free to the public next to the Soo Line depot that houses our museum in Long Lake Regional Park. The caboose was generously donated by the Valspar Corporation, but has suffered from a leaky roof and disintegrating windows. It's currently no longer safe for visitors to explore the caboose and to experience the history of New Brighton and the railroad as they once could. 

Condition of the interior of the caboose--help us restore it and reopen it to the public!


Members of the New Brighton Area Historical Society's Board of Directors and their friends have been donating their time and effort to rennovations, but the total estimated cost for restoration is $8000, including:

          -New car siding and windows

          -Benches and insulation to make it convenient for visitors

          -Painting the interior of the caboose with the same shade of green that Great Northern used in 1950

We need your generous support to raise $8000 for restoration and to reopen the caboose to the public. Visitors to the New Brighton History Center love taking their kids and grandkids through the exhibit, and wedding parties often take photos on or near the caboose. Please help us to preserve this wonderful legacy and to make it available for future generations!


Photo of the New Brighton History Center with the caboose to the right.