For our family, cabooses are more than just pieces of railway history—they’ve become a way of life. Owning three cabooses has sparked our curiosity about their stories, and visiting cabooses on our travels has become tradition. Recently, we had the chance to visit the Lake Erie, Franklin & Clarion Railroad caboose, #11, located at Darlington Park in Mahoningtown, PA.
This steel bodied cupola caboose, acquired in 1996 for $1200 has been on static display in the park since 1997. It was last refurbished by a local civic group in 2013, but is already showing the effects of time. It is interesting to note, this caboose found its resting place just a year after our cabooses made their home at Caboose Falls.
The Lake Erie, Franklin & Clarion Railroad (LEF&C)
The Lake Erie, Franklin & Clarion Railroad (LEF&C) has a interesting history. Incorporated in 1913, it was the result of a consolidation of several smaller railroads and initially thrived during the peak of local coal production. By the mid-1920s, the LEF&C operated approximately 80 miles of track. However, as coal production declined sharply in the region, the railroad’s operations diminished. By the time it ceased service in 1992, the LEF&C had been reduced to just 15 miles of track connecting Summerville to Clarion, with a short branch line from Sutton to Heidrick.
Mahoningtown Murals
As if the caboose itself wasn’t enough of a draw, we were captivated by the spectacular murals on a nearby brick building. One mural depicts a Pennsylvania Railroad steam train emerging from a tunnel. Another celebrates the legacy of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad, showing a P&LE passenger train arriving at Mahoningtown’s station.
Caboose Life
Whether we’re working on our own cabooses or visiting those that have found a new purpose as displays or attractions, every stop deepens our appreciation for these enduring symbols of the golden age of railroading.
Learn more about Darlington Park and the Mahoningtown community at http://www.lcmemoirs.com/