A vintage caboose railcar is on track for restoration at the James H. Long Railroad Park and Museum with the help of Union Pacific Railroad after the company presented a check for $2,000 to the museum board.

Ivan Jaime, director of Border and Community Affairs for Union Pacific Railroad, presented the check to board president Dave Fehlker saying the funds were for a very worthy cause and part of Union Pacific’s ongoing philanthropic efforts on behalf of Smithville’s Railroad Park.

Bob Corbin, a painter who lives in Smithville will work on the caboose with volunteers.

“I’ll take a paint chip to PPG Coatings,” Corbin said. “They will match the paint, which is a two part epoxy urethane, like an automotive finish.”

Paint will cost around $3,000.

Corbin explained that the work will involve grinding and sanding the whole railcar, and giving it a thorough cleaning before the paint is applied. The interior will get a cleaning too.

The caboose to be restored is an “extended vision” or “wide vision” model with a cupola that extends beyond the side of the car body.

According to Fehlker, Union Pacific donated both the land and the caboose railcars that are currently on display at the Railroad Park.

“The small depot building was originally the West Point depot,” said Fehlker.

The James H. Long Railroad Park and Museum was dedicated in June of 1991. The park features a gazebo, playground, two caboose railroad cars and the museum.

Smithville’s history with the railroad began in 1886, when the Taylor, Bastrop and Houston Railroad first came through town. In 1891, the Missouri, Kansas & Texas (MK&T or Katy) Railroad took over the line and in 1894 built a maintenance yard, the first one south of Waco. By 1909 Smithville was home to over 400 Katy railroad workers, helping to make Smithville the largest town in Bastrop County with about 3,500 residents.

The railroad park and museum is an ongoing effort by a group of Smithville citizens working to preserve the town’s historical connection to the railroad by providing historical exhibits and displays of unique railroad artifacts.

The Smithville Railroad board also hosts the annual Smithville Railroad Reunion, which is held the first Saturday in May each year.