FOTD and Tehachapi celebrate purchase of caboose

Friends of the Tehachapi Depot gathered on March 8 to celebrate the transfer of ownership of the caboose that is currently located next to the Depot. Joining FOTD were members of Tehachapi City Council, City Manager Greg Garrett and former caboose owner Hans Kahl.

FOTD had wanted to buy the caboose for many years but owner Kahl, who also owns the Gold Coast Station train store in Tehachapi, wasn't ready to sell it. This year Kahl approached FOTD saying he had received another offer but accepting it would mean the caboose would leave Tehachapi. He told FOTD that he would rather sell it to them and have it remain here. They were delighted but unable to pay the asking price. As the Depot Museum is a Tehachapi city asset, FOTD partnered with the City to purchase the caboose which will eventually be deeded to the city.

The next step is to move it onto the Depot property where it will be placed where docents will have access while giving tours. It is currently planned for it to be placed parallel to the tracks. Funding for the restoration is planned to come primarily from grants and donations. Anyone wishing to donate to the project should contact FOTD. All donations are greatly appreciated.

Also planned by FOTD is the construction of a museum annex which would allow the display of all artifacts that have been in storage for lack of museum space.