$100,000 needed to save Alexandria's 1919 Little Red Caboose
A community-driven fund is seeking donations to repair a weathered railroad car that has stood outside a Mount Vernon school since 1973.
By Khalid Khalil ·
For five decades, a small red railroad car has served as a gathering point and a historical marker in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia. Now, residents face a choice: contribute to a repair fund or risk seeing the structure dismantled.
The car, locally known as the Little Red Caboose, was constructed by Norfolk and Western in Roanoke, Virginia, in 1919. In 1973, local school and city officials placed it outside Mount Vernon Community School. Since then, it has remained a fixed part of the neighborhood, frequently open to visitors during local events.
Gian Macone, a member of the Caboose Fund board, described the structure as an enduring icon of the community. He warned that this moment represents the last chance to preserve the vehicle. If the necessary repairs are not completed, the caboose will likely be removed and scrapped.
The Caboose Fund, a nonprofit established to protect the car, estimates the restoration cost at approximately $100,000. While the structure appears intact from a distance, close inspection reveals extensive wear on the wood. Evan Wilson, the organization's executive director, noted that rain currently enters through the window frames without obstruction.
The restoration plan includes metalworking, painting, and substantial carpentry. Wilson also indicated that the caboose may need to be physically moved. He explained that relocating a rail car in a confined space presents complex logistical challenges. The organization is currently consulting with specialists to manage these technical requirements.
Beyond structural repairs, the fund aims to improve accessibility and comfort. Plans include installing a ramp outside the caboose and adding an HVAC system. Wilson stated the goal is to make the space available to the public throughout Alexandria.
Visitors can support the project by scanning a QR code on the caboose or donating through the Caboose Fund's website. The organization is coordinating the work to ensure the 1919 vehicle remains a functional and accessible part of the neighborhood landscape.
