New railroad park just about ready to welcome caboose

The first phase of development of the Fallbrook Railroad Heritage Park is nearly complete, which means a Santa Fe caboose will soon be sitting just northwest of the intersection of Main Avenue and Elder Street.

"The ground has been graded, a pad created and the tracks put down," said Fallbrook Village Association president Roy Moosa, who noted that the 39-foot track panel was from a temporary line that ran in Los Angeles.

"The next step is to bring in ballast, which is a gravel material," said Moosa. "Once that is in place we're ready to go pick up the caboose, which is in Barstow."

Moosa said an announcement will be made once an arrival date for the caboose is solidified. He added that he expects the caboose to be in place by mid-May.

"Once we know that date we're going to let the entire community know," said Moosa. "It's going to be a big deal. We'll invite (San Diego County Supervisor) Bill Horn and whoever wants to come."

The caboose will be hoisted onto the tracks by a crane and its installation will mark the successful completion of phase one of the Railroad Heritage Park project, which is being funded by donations. The FVA spearheaded a fundraising campaign to cover the costs of preparing the site for the caboose, buying the caboose and transporting the caboose from Barstow to Fallbrook.

"The (fundraising) goal for phase one was $61,000 and we're still about $9,000 short," said Moosa. "But we're moving forward anyway. I know once the caboose gets put in place people will really get on board. Once the tracks went down we got a $1,000 donation. We're optimistic that the $9,000 will come in."

Fundraising will continue for phase two of the project.

"Phase two is going to be (building) a replica of the (old) train station, which will be on the corner," said Moosa. "It will contain historical displays and have steps leading down into the parking lot."

Moosa added the train station platform, which will be facing the parking lot, could serve as a stage. "It can be used as a community event area whenever needed," said Moosa.

To donate to the Fallbrook Railroad Heritage Park project, write a check payable to Fallbrook Village Assn. – a 501(c)(3) non-profit – and mail it to FVA, P.O. Box 2438, Fallbrook, CA 92088.