Monon Caboose 81532 Update

Update by Les Beckman
April 20, 2024

Photos from Monon caboose 81532 at Hoosier Valley 4/20/24.

Photo 1 shows the ACI (Automatic Car Identification) bar code system plate on the south side of the caboose.
This system was not in place when these cabooses were built in the Monon Shops back in 1956 and in fact, the
system did not prove effective and went out of favor with the railroads in the late 1970's. Since the ACI id was
not on the car when built, they needed to be removed before the car eventually gets a new coat of paint.

Click here to see example of ACI (Automatic Car Identification) bar code system plate.

Photo 2 shows HVRM member David Miller starting in on removing the rivet heads.

Photo 3 shows a close up of David grinding off one of the rivet heads.

Photo 4 shows the dirt and rust that was under the metal plate where the ACI bar code had been located.

Photo 5 shows the missing ladder bolts at the roof on one of the ladders on 81532. These bolts
will have to be reinstalled which will entail cutting new holes. Also to be determined is if the top of
the ladder went on top of, or under, the grab rails leading up onto the roof. Haven't been able to
determine this from photos of these cabooses and will probably have to make a trip to look over
one of the other surviving cars in the series. Unless a photo is furnished.

Photo 6 shows the ACI bar code location on the north side of the caboose after it was removed.

Photo 7 shows a "hook" on the north side of the car. There is no corresponding hook of the other side of the caboose.
Not sure what the purpose was of this hook. It will probably get removed in the near future, unless someone can advise
its use and why it should be kept.'

Monon Caboose 81532 Update

Update by Les Beckman
June 15, 2024

Photos from Monon caboose 81532 at Hoosier Valley 6/15/24.

Couple of photos of Kevin Norman power washing caboose 81532 at Hoosier Valley on June 15, 2024.
Now that Kevin has removed a lot of the dirt and grime from the car, the next step will be the shot
blasting removal of the old paint and lettering.

Photo 2 shows HVRM member David Miller starting in on removing the rivet heads.

Les

Monon Caboose 81532 Update

Update, Phots given to us by Jim Craig
June 28, 2024

Photos from Monon caboose 81532 at Hoosier Valley 6/28/24.

Some photos of the caboose being sand blasted and prepared to be primed so it can be repainted and lettered.

Jim

The Monon projects continue ongoing at Hoosier Valley!

Much more still to do, but we're getting there!

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