The Vandalia City Council heard a request from a newly formed foundation in Vandalia that would like to restore and display the city’s “Little Red Caboose” that currently sits in the parking lot at the corner of 5th and Johnson Streets. William Howard of the newly formed Vandalia Railroad Museum Foundation addressed the board and stated the group would like to enter a long-term loan agreement with the city to restore the caboose.
Howard says they would like to fully restore it to its 1941 condition and display it in a park or setting as other several other towns like Centralia or Olney have theirs.
After Howard answered a couple questions from the council, Mayor Rick Gottman stated they would forward the matter on to the Building and Grounds Committee and for the city’s attorney and City Administrator LaTisha Paslay to work on a recommendation and possible agreement for the June 5th council meeting.