Repairs Continue on Andover Historical Society’s Red Caboose

Leaking roof turned into extensive repairs

October 20, 2020 • Saved under Andover Organizations
By Larry Chase
Doug Bent (center) of Andover’s Bentwood Construction and his crew (Jeff Desrociers and Jimmy Smith) are handling the extensive repair project that the Andover Historical Society is undertaking on the red caboose that sits next to the Potter Place railroad station. Photo: Larry Chase


They’ve been working on the railroad — on Andover’s red caboose, in this case.

Since early July, the caboose that sits beside the Potter Place railroad station has been undergoing repair and refurbishment by a team led by Andover contractor Doug Bent of Bentwood Construction. The original focus of the work was the cupola, the small windowed structure that sits atop the car. Current efforts involve replacement of the rotted roofs of the main body of the caboose.

Repair efforts on the caboose were focused on a leaky cupola at first, but have now turned to replacing the rotted roof, as shown in this photo. Photo: Larry Chase



In a recent progress report to the board of directors of the Andover Historical Society, board member and project overseer Bob Norander wrote:


“The cupola roof covering, and wood rot beneath it, were removed. New wood was added where needed, and covered with plywood to form a smooth surface for the new roof membrane of EDPM, a type of synthetic rubber material which is flexible, long-lived, and most importantly waterproof. 

 

“The rotted wood which was bolted to the four corners of the cupola was replaced, as well as additional rotted wood trim. The original copper flashing below the cupola windows was replaced with new copper sheet. 

 

“The internal iron reinforcing brace at the east cupola corner was found to be cracked. This could have occurred when the caboose was transported to Andover or perhaps earlier. Since the car will not be moved in the future, repair was felt to be unnecessary. 

 

“The east and west roof access ladders were removed to facilitate rot repairs to the roof. The upper support timber next to the east access ladder was jacked slightly in an effort to correct a small amount of droop.

“The next task addressed was repairs to the shorter end of the roof. This section is closest to the station, aft of the cupola. We chose this end as we felt it would require the most work. (As it turned out this was not the case as will be discussed in the following paragraph.) The roof was stripped, rotted boards replaced, and a covering of EDPM was applied over a new plywood base.

“The remainder of the roof (forward of the cupola) was stripped, and a good deal of rotted wood was found. We were surprised to find that the roof ridgepole was badly rotted over approximately three quarters of the total length. (The ridge pole runs longitudinally along the centerline of the roof.) This will be replaced. 

 

“A large number of the one-by-three boards, at right angles to the ridgepole, were also rotted and will be replaced. Replacing the one-by-threes with plywood will speed the work and save money. Since the plywood will be covered with EDPM, this substitution will not be visible.”

 

Readers wishing to help the Historical Society defray project expenses may send a check to Andover Historical Society, PO Box 167, Andover NH 03216-0167.