The BIG Adventures of a Little Cabin Car

This is the story of how a kind man named John Pfaltz found an old cabin car - a caboose - restored it, and GAVE it to a railroad that didn't even have a train to pull it! Pennsylvania Cabin Car 477768 was born to work on a freight train but, as times changed, so did its job. It went to an excursion train, but when a tornado tore up the tracks, the little car was left on a siding. The years took a toll on it. Still, John Pfaltz happened upon it, saw the beauty in it, and decided he'd save the cabin car. Thanks to the work of many volunteers who love trains, the cabin car was fully restored. John at first kept it near his home as a place to meet with his friends. But he eventually realized the cabin car deserved more; it had been made with a purpose, and it was up to John to see that it was able to return to the work it was intended to do. John offered it to any railroad that could prove it not only needed a caboose, but that could also show it deserved to receive it. The Colebrookdale Railroad in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, had no cars whatsoever. The railroad had been abandoned, and the effort had only just started to restore it. But when founder Nathaniel Guest and the surrounding community rallied together and promised that this donation would change everything for them, John handed it over gladly. And, indeed, thanks to his gift, the cabin car inspired other donations, one after another, until - today - The Colebrookdale railroad is likely the most beautiful excursion train in America. And Pennsylvania 477768 still runs on the line.