Cheyenne Downtown Development Authority: June 2026 Newsletter
Here is a great little write up from Bob Burnham current UP yard master in Cheyenne on what this caboose means to people who worked for UP.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it!” Ferris Bueller..
Life indeed moves at an incredible pace, and it’s essential to pause and appreciate the journey. Now, as you all know, I’ve dedicated my life to working on the railroad, a path I’ve been on for most of my life, having grown up next to the Oregon Short Line, a Union Pacific subsidiary, in Soda Springs, Idaho, I always knew this was my future.
My journey began as a child, tagging along with my grandfather to the grain elevator where he worked in Soda Springs. When he’d send me off to the small depot to visit the railroad guys, I’d eagerly oblige, they’d let me explore the caboose and sometimes even take a ride on the locomotive. It was then that my passion for railroading ignited.
I embarked on my career at 19, starting as a track laborer in Green River, Wyoming, working on system gangs, specifically the concrete tie gang.
My first assignment took me to Portola, California, where we spent six months rebuilding the Feather River Route, originally a Western Pacific line. It was a daunting task, especially given my limited experience, but it was an adventure that shaped me.
Thirty years have passed since then and I’ve held many positions with the UP in the years that followed that summer so long ago, and today, I had the privilege of revisiting a piece of my past.
This Union Pacific caboose was part of our work train, the P8-11, an incredible machine that replaced old wooden ties with modern concrete ones and relayed rails with ease. It was more than just equipment; this caboose was our office, tool car, and sanctuary. We forged unforgettable memories, shared laughter, and built lifelong friendships within its walls. It was our own version of “Hell On Wheels,” a testament to the camaraderie we shared.
Though the caboose’s fate was uncertain after it was sent to Cheyenne many years ago it was eventually donated to the city.
I’m heartened to know it’ll be restored to its former glory as part of a railroad display downtown.
My friend Michael Pannell, a railroad preservation expert, was tasked with restoring it, and I’m thrilled he chose to return it to its original livery.
For me, it’s a poignant tribute to the unsung heroes who keep the trains rolling. This caboose it’s a reminder of the power of dedication and the importance of appreciating the history of the railroad and the men who built it.
Maintenance of Way “Kenefick Green” scheme, which the caboose did carry while in service. This was Union Pacific’s standard maintenance color for many years and serves as a tribute to the thousands of track and infrastructure workers in this area over the years.
Since many towns already feature a traditional UP yellow caboose, they felt this would be a unique and meaningful change.
