What is happening?
The Yaletown BIA has located an authentic, decommissioned railway caboose near Mainland and Nelson, alongside Yaletown Park. This is part of a “heritage street furnishings” program undertaken by the Yaletown BIA to commemorate Vancouver’s 125^th Anniversary in 2011.

What is it for ?
This caboose is an icon and a landmark, recalling the railway history of Yaletown and the connection that Vancouver has long had with rail transportation. The caboose will initially serve as an event centre for community events such as Christmas Toy Drive, Halloween and some celebrations of Vancouver’s 125^th Anniversary in 2011.

What is a caboose and what is it used for ?
This is a railway caboose from the mid- 1900’s that travelled the rails throughout Vancouver and western Canada. The caboose or “brake car” was the final rail car in a train, and served many purposes such as crew quarters, a mobile office and was the brake van for trains on steep inclines and sharp corners. Cabooses were required safety equipment on all trains until the mid-1980’s, when advances in technology made cabooses obsolete.

Why is it located here ?
The caboose is located here to celebrate Yaletown’s heritage as an important railyard and transportation hub, as well as being the westernmost terminus of the first national railway in Canada. Being sited beside Yaletown Park will allow easy public access to the caboose, as well as support special events and gatherings in the area. Mainland Street is also an important segment of the Steamline walking route, Vancouver’s newest walking route, connecting the heritage districts of Yaletown and Gastown.>