Historic Ada railroad caboose renovated - ceremony Sept. 17 planned
The Pride of Ada - the Pennsylvania Railroad caboose in the Ada depot park was renovated this summer. At 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, during Ada's Harvest and Herb Festival, the caboose will be re-christened. Here's the story of the caboose.
Its given name sounds like a phone number: Pennsylvania 477779.
It’s 75 years old and after a half-century of hard - all out-of-doors - work, it found Ada – or, Ada found it.
CHECK OUT PHOTOS OF THE CABOOSE IN THE ATTACHMENT BELOW -
It sadly out-lived its usefulness. It became obsolete, and simply turned into a reminder of the good old days of railroading. But, boy, were those good days.
Pennsylvania Railroad caboose 477779 retired in Ada in 1989. Several historic-mind and railroad-loving residents had a vision for Ada’s also retired and proud passenger station – that also avoided demolition.
They believed that a caboose was a fitting object to park beside the depot. Now it’s Ada's little red caboose, the Pride of Ada. And, this summer a refurbishing brings out its shine.
Here’s a photo essay of the caboose, with some before and after photos.
Stories Posted This Week
Monday, August 11, 2025
- Coletta Irene Mullenhour worked at M&R Plumbing and Heating
- New Findlay Community Orchestra invites string players
- Children's tryouts for ONU Holiday Spectacular on Sept. 7
- 2025 History Day showcases a love of Bluffton, fascination with trains
- Schumacher Homestead to be featured on WBGU travel program
- More about Bluffton and railroads
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Saturday, August 9, 2025
- Reminder of 1899 Depot move and refurbishment by Bluffton Sportsmen's Club
- JAMPD to retain Johnny Appleseed identity following poll
- Board of Elections lists November 2025 candidates for school board, township trustees and village council
- Bluffton chamber to host AI Lunch & Learn with Courtnee R. Morris
- Weekend Doctor: Family Estrangement on the Rise