State funds may be sought to enhance Haymarket caboose

The Southern Norfolk Railway caboose near the Haymarket Museum could receive some upgrades if state funds are sought and received.

By: Amanda Stewart | Inside NoVA
Published: February 03, 2010

Improvements could come to the historic caboose in Haymarket, if the town is awarded state grant money.

At a December Town Council meeting, the council held a public hearing to get input on a grant application to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

The grant would fund improvements to the Southern Norfolk Railway caboose that sits in the parking lot of the Haymarket Museum on Washington Street.

According to the grant application, the grant money would be used to improve handicap accessibility to the caboose, which is currently only accessible by stairs.

Grant money could also be used to pay for improved lighting in the caboose and informational signs that could be placed outside of the caboose.

Currently, the caboose is generally only open to the public once a year, on Haymarket Day.

The caboose was donated to the town by Southern Norfolk Railway in 1992.

Grant awards are expected to be announced in June, town officials said.

Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-878-8014.