Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, October 20, 1995                   TAG: 9510200076
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: EMILY ROGERS SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

CABOOSE ONLY THE BIGGEST PIECE IN A BIG COLLECTION|

Originally, the 1970 C-31P Pool Service caboose's main function was as a lookout station for the conductor of a Norfolk and Western train. Orange, however, had something else in mind.

Orange, who lives in Christiansburg and has worked at Virginia Tech for 18 years as an architect, said his interest in trains began with his grandfathers, who both worked on the railroads.

"As a child, I always wanted a red caboose," he said. And that's exactly what he bought this summer.

Initially, it was his sighting of a 611 steam engine that inspired him to begin a collection of Virginian and NW artifacts. For the past 20 years, Orange has been selective in choosing pieces to add to his collection, always with the goal of buying a caboose.

The first obstacle Orange had to overcome in acquiring such an unusual piece was locating someone willing to sell one.

In July, when Orange was finally ready to buy, Norfolk Southern Corp. had decided to auction its dormant locomotive cars for $3,000 to $5,000 apiece. Orange was able to choose his caboose from three available at the old Virginian yards in Roanoke.

Viewing them in terms of required renovations, he decided on this particular caboose because "it was in the best shape."

But moving the caboose from the train yard to his house would be no easy task. NS was able to move the newly purchased caboose as close to Orange's home as the train tracks would allow. Officials then gave Orange two weeks to complete the move. In order for the caboose to cover the terrain off the tracks, he enlisted the aid of IMF Crane Services.

The IMF contractors secured the caboose with four cables, lifted it onto a flatbed truck, and drove it to Orange's home.

In anticipation of the caboose's arrival, Orange and his father, Charlie Orange, had spent 40 hours over a two-month period building a 34-foot track in their one-acre backyard.

While Orange admits his recent purchase has caused many a neighbor to raise a curious eyebrow, he said he hasn't heard any direct complaints from the community. Orange has ensured the legality of his endeavor by obtaining a building permit from the city of Christiansburg classifying the caboose as a storage building - an accurate classification because Orange plans to store all of his collectibles in the caboose, creating a private museum.

Some of the items Orange plans to place on display include a complete set of Norfolk Western Short Globe Lanterns, a Virginian brass bell, and, what Orange considers his most unique possession , an NW employee regulation handbook.

Orange is eager to have the caboose repainted and get to work on building shelves to exhibit his collection. He estimates it'll take a year before he's able to open his museum to the public; "I plan on just being home some Saturday and Sunday so people can come in and look," Orange said.

He has no plans to stop collecting now that he's bought the caboose. Next, he's interested in adding an NW brass bell, original locomotive whistle and photographs.