It’s the pride of R.W. “Bob” Willaford’s extensive railroad collection. The 1963 red caboose has been anchored in his front yard for years. Every year, Willaford and his wife, Felice, throw Easter and Christmas parties for children, complete with a tour of the caboose.
But now, the caboose will have a new home. The caboose along with an engine and other train artifacts will be moved Nov. 14, to the site of the train viewing platform in Historic Downtown.
On Monday, C.J. Bridges Railroad Contractor installed tracks for the caboose. The agreement was made Oct. 22 — at no cost to the city.
Also donating services will be Brewington’s Towing Service, Wetherington Tractor Service and Sims Crane & Equipment. The companies will be moving the equipment around 1:30 p.m.
“It’s quite extensive,” City Commissioner Mike Sparkman said of the collection.
Appraised at $220,000, the collection also includes signal lights from crossings, benches Willaford made himself out of steel wheels and wood pallets and different types of carts and service vehicles. There are about 27 items being donated.
Some of the memorabilia will be displayed outside next to the train platform, which is currently under construction. Others will be integrated to the already existing displays inside the depot.
In exchange for the memorabilia, the city agreed to rename the depot the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum.
“He didn’t want his stuff to become scrap iron,” Sparkman said. “We wanted it to enrich the heritage of Plant City. So it was a win-win situation.”
Sparkman said the negotiation had taken about six months.
“I’ve known him for a long time,” Sparkman said.
The commissioner had seen Willaford’s holiday traditions in the newspapers. But, he also knew him through his brother-in-law who worked alongside Willaford at CSX.
The train memorabilia is part of a plan to draw tourists to the area by playing upon Plant City’s rich rail history.
“We’re excited about it,” Sparkman said. “It’s taken a lot of work by a lot of people.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
VIEWING PLATFORM UPDATE
The train viewing platform is at full steam.
The brickwork is being completed. Construction on the roof also has started. Installation of an elevator for guests with disabilities will begin at the end of November.
City Commissioner Mike Sparkman hopes to have the platform done by the end of the month, as well.
The platform was modeled loosely around Georgia’s Folkston Funnel viewing area.The Folkston Funnel is a double track that serves as the main artery for railroad traffic into and out of Florida.
Like Folkston’s platform, Plant City’s will have a scanner to hear the transmissions between trains. Both platforms also have restored depots. However, when complete, Plant City’s version will feature a 14-foot tower, in addition to the lower deck platform. Overall, it’s bigger.
About 25 trains come through Plant City daily.
Sparkman wants to plan an event for early February centered around the train-viewing hobby. The event will also be modeled after Folkston’s annual event Rail Watch Weekend in April.
