After 35 years beside the Maple Ridge Museum, the historic caboose has been demolished.
Built in Montreal in 1944, it was moved into place on the museum property in 1991 by the Dewdney Alouette Railway Society.
Demolition of the caboose began on Thursday, Feb. 5, and continued on Friday, Feb. 6, although workers were on site on Monday, Feb. 2.
The historic artifact had needed work and attention over the years, said museum executive director Shea Henry in a previous interview, but the work never happened.
Over the past decade a tarp was stretched across the train car and it was given a new roof. However, Henry noted, it was too late.
And, with no grants available to assist with what would be an extensive and expensive restoration, the decision was made to let it go.
At the time of the demolition, there was extensive water damage and the caboose was no longer safe for anyone to enter.
Henry is now looking forward to the building of a new Japanese garden in Jim Hadgkiss Park, beside the museum, to commemorate the legacy of early Japanese Canadians in Maple Ridge. This project is being undertaken by the City of Maple Ridge, in collaboration with the Vancouver Japanese Gardeners’ Association.
Funding for the project has been provided by the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society.
Construction on the garden is expected to start in early spring.
For more information go to: https://engage.mapleridge.ca/JapaneseGarden.