Louisville & Nashville "Lil Woody"

Louisville & Nashville "Lil Woody" đźš‚ 1926 L&N Type NE Class M930 Cupola Caboose Restoration Project
Preserving history at 10578 Highway 42, Union, KY.

Our goal: restore the caboose to its original glory while meeting modern safety and durability standards.

07/07/2026

While we can’t beat the heat we can rebuild the windows into something that will help keep a cool interior and look!

06/04/2026

Work continues on the Little Woody Louisville & Nashville Offset Cupola caboose. With the sill out work in cleaning, scaling and sealing can begin along with replacement material. Additional scaling and sanding on both end platforms, cut levers, steps and safety appliances are underway. &Nashville &n

06/04/2026

We’re progressing with the replacement of the major structural components of the caboose while removing years of paint and rust. Although the sill has significant rust new materials will soon be installed. Primer to the sill,
safety appliances and platform frame, cut lever and steps will go one soon. Louisville & Nashville Railroad Historical Society Louisville & Nashville Railfans (Official)

When those early 1900 square bolts won’t cooperate…you re-introduce them to fire.These tensioning/anchor rods required b...
02/19/2026

When those early 1900 square bolts won’t cooperate…you re-introduce them to fire.

These tensioning/anchor rods required bending and straightening in order to re-used. The rods could be found aproximately every three to four feet between the roof supports and through the header board. These provided strenghth between both exterior and end walls.

Although damaged and corroded they were found to be in good order once heat was applied and threads cleaned.

Sister cab 1831 of our “Little Woody” being lifted for final placement after decades of service. “Eddie Lee’s caboose ca...
02/15/2026

Sister cab 1831 of our “Little Woody” being lifted for final placement after decades of service. “Eddie Lee’s caboose can be seen on the end of the caboose along with the “Bad Ordered” seen on the side right above the truck.

It was not uncommon that railroaders were given the opportunitunity to own their cabs once retired. However, moving them would tend to make challenge for any collector.

Most importantly in the photo is a glimpse of the cupola that is atop the cab. Given the extensive damage to our cab it’s always good to see how variations of the L&N cabooses made in their designs.

While we begin to thaw out of the deep freeze a replacement cupola has been underway while straightening out tensioning rods.

Stay tuned as we begin the transformation this spring.

12/18/2025

While its certainly a change in the season its also a change in seeing a vintage 1920 Caboose in 3D CAD Design. While materials are gathered for the replacement of the inner skeleton of the supports of the walls we are mapping those supports.

From 2D images to 3D design the future generations will be able to see exactly what's behind the tongue and groove. Stay tuned as we begin repairing the broken or bent steel supports and railings.

11/19/2025

Quick update regarding the 1927 Louisville & Nashville “Little Woody” caboose.

11/06/2025

The process of reclaiming period wood is both time consuming and tedious. However, like the upcoming video will show, traditional milling techniques contributed to rough cut grades that weren’t always square/dimensional.

We’re very happy with the process! &N

Restoration Update ‼️🚂Given the extensive amount of rot in the header both right and left sides of the caboose are unsta...
11/03/2025

Restoration Update ‼️🚂

Given the extensive amount of rot in the header both right and left sides of the caboose are unstable. The Roof has been removed and we have placed a temporary tarp over to protect the interior.

Restoration update on "Lil Woody" đźš‚Before and After, Missing header board from years of decay. The rot extends from fron...
10/29/2025

Restoration update on "Lil Woody" đźš‚

Before and After, Missing header board from years of decay. The rot extends from front to rear requiring a complete replacement.

Visible are the original vertical tensioning rods to secure the header to the frame.

Address

10578 Highway 42
Union, KY

Telephone

+18595775007

Website

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