Yorkville puts train caboose up for sale

The Yorkville City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to sell off a vintage train caboose that has been sitting on tracks in the city’s downtown area for many years.

Aldermen voted to publish a notice of sale and accept offers to buy and move the caboose.

Alderman Carlo Colosimo said he was happy to see the caboose go.

“I have asked for this thing to be sold for six years,” he said. “A complete waste of taxpayer money when it was purchased. I can’t stress that enough; I’m glad to see it go.”

The caboose was built in 1967 and served the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad and later the Burlington Northern Railroad.

The city purchased the caboose from Angela Fuller Cline of Nebraska for $10,500 in 2007. Officials had planned to refurbish the 250-square-foot caboose and move it to the train-themed Bristol Station Park in the Whispering Meadows subdivision.

However, according to Parks and Recreation Director Tim Evans, the project was placed on hold because of the projected cost – between $20,000 and $30,000 – to move and update the caboose.

“Over the years, interested individuals have contacted staff about the status and availability of the caboose,” Evans wrote in a memo to aldermen. “Park Board and staff have also discussed potential uses and placement of the caboose; however, as of today, no final decision has been made.”