05/09/2026
This is a long read, but we have worked tirelessly for almost 3 years to make this happen and it will be going before Borough Council next Tuesday the 12th, at 6pm. We would love to have support for this project show up and be recognized. What this can do for our town in going forward, is measured in the write up.
PROPOSAL: Caboose Acquisition & Economic Revitalization Initiative
TO: Newville Borough Council
FROM: Randy Heishman, Project Lead (Newville Historical Society)
SUBJECT: Authorization for Acquisition and Relocation of Historic Rail Asset
1. Executive Summary
The Borough has the opportunity to acquire a 1916 PRR caboose from Maple Street Park in Lemoyne at zero purchase cost. This initiative transforms the McFarland Street trailhead into a "Stopping Anchor" for 25,000+ annual trail users. This asset serves as the gateway to a Tourism Corridor, physically and economically linking the Rail Trail to Newville’s downtown merchants, the Historical Society, and the proposed path to Laughlin Mill.
2. Financial Analysis: Value vs. Investment
For a $4,000 investment, the Borough secures a "turnkey" historical asset and specialized infrastructure that triggers six-figure equity gains.
Item Borough Investment Market/Contractor Value Borough Equity Gain
Caboose Asset $0 (Gift) $30,000 – $40,000 $40,000
Specialized Ties & Rails $0 (Included) $5,000 – $8,000 $8,000
Relocation (Dave’s Towing) $4,000 $10,000 – $15,000 $11,000 (Logistics Savings)
Site Prep & Ballast Base $0 (Grant Target) $6,000 – $10,000 $10,000
Commercial Build-out/ADA $0 (Grant Target) $35,000 – $55,000 $55,000
TOTAL PROJECT VALUE $4,000 $86,000 – $128,000 $124,000+
• ROI: A private vendor lease (est. $300/month) ensures the Borough recoups its initial $4,000 expenditure in roughly 14 months.
3. The Tourism Corridor: Walking & Biking Connectivity
The caboose serves as the official starting point for a strategic loop designed to drive foot traffic away from the trail and into the town's business district:
• The Downtown Loop: A self-guided historic tour begins at the caboose, leading users into the historic downtown to support local restaurants and retail shops.
• The Cultural Chain: The corridor creates a direct, walkable link from the trailhead to the Newville Historical Society and the Borough Building.
• The Laughlin Mill Connection: This project provides the necessary anchor for the proposed path to the Laughlin Mill, creating a seamless 0.42-mile historical and commercial circuit.
4. Economic Impact: The "GAP" Model
• The Case for Merchants: Following the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) model, trailhead anchors drive significant spending. 67% of users stop for "soft goods" (ice cream/snacks) when a unique anchor is present.
• Spillover Revenue: Every $1 spent at the caboose generates $1.50+ in additional spending at surrounding downtown merchants as visitors explore the town.
5. Request for Action
It is requested that the Council formally authorize the $4,000 expenditure for Dave’s Towing. This action secures the asset from Lemoyne, establishes the Tourism Corridor, and triggers immediate eligibility for state grant cycles.
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APPENDIX A: Commercial Build-Out & Utility Budget
PROJECT: Caboose Conversion (Ice Cream/Retail Shell)
OBJECTIVE: To establish a food-safe, climate-controlled environment meeting Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture standards for retail food sales.
1. Core Utilities & Safety (The Essential "Shell")
These upgrades are permanent improvements to the Borough’s asset and are required regardless of the specific vendor type.
• Electrical System Upgrade: Installation of a dedicated 100-200 amp service panel, commercial-grade wiring (conduit), GFI outlets, and interior/exterior LED lighting.
o Estimated Cost: $3,500 – $6,000
• Plumbing & Sanitation: High-efficiency electric water heater, 3-compartment sanitation sink, and a separate dedicated hand-washing station. This includes the localized trenching and connection to the Borough’s existing McFarland Street water/sewer lines.
o Estimated Cost: $5,000 – $8,000
• Climate Control (Mini-Split): Installation of a high-efficiency heat pump/AC unit. This is critical for maintaining equipment health (preventing freezer burnout) and staff safety inside a metal structure.
o Estimated Cost: $3,500 – $5,000
2. Interior Surfaces & Compliance
• Wall & Floor Treatment: Installation of FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) wall panels (non-porous/washable) and slip-resistant commercial flooring.
o Estimated Cost: $2,500 – $4,000
• Service Counter & Prep: Stainless steel prep tables and a service window/counter integrated into the caboose’s existing door or window frame.
o Estimated Cost: $2,000 – $3,500
3. Equipment (Optional Borough Investment)
The Borough may choose to provide this to increase lease value, or require the vendor to provide their own.
• Commercial Refrigeration: 12-flavor dipping cabinet and reach-in storage freezer.
o Estimated Cost: $4,000 – $7,000
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Category Estimated Contractor Total
Total Permanent Utility Infrastructure $12,000 – $19,000
Total Interior Finish & Equipment $8,500 – $14,500
GRAND TOTAL ESTIMATED BUILD-OUT $20,500 – $33,500
Funding Strategy for Appendix A:
The Borough will not utilize General Fund tax revenue for these improvements. Instead, the Borough will leverage the $40,000+ in existing equity from the caboose gift to secure matching funds from:
1. DCED Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program (GTRP): Specifically for trailhead amenities and economic development.
2. PHMC Keystone Historic Preservation Grants: Funding specifically for the "brick and mortar" construction and rehabilitation of historic assets.
Pros of the Caboose Project
• Immediate Equity Gain: The Borough acquires an asset and specialized rail materials (ties/rails) valued at $45,000+ for a $4,000 relocation fee.
• Recurring Revenue: A private vendor lease (e.g., ice cream/coffee) generates a self-sustaining income stream for the Borough's General Fund, aiming for a 14-month ROI on initial costs.
• Tourism "Stopping Anchor": It transforms the McFarland Street trailhead from a pass-through into a destination for 25,000+ annual trail users, encouraging them to stop and spend money at local merchants.
• Grant Leverage: Having "Site Control" of a high-value historic asset makes the Borough a more competitive candidate for specialized state revitalization grants (DCED/DCNR).
• Cultural Identity: Restoring a 1916 PRR caboose preserves Newville’s specific rail heritage for future generations without requiring new construction.
Borough Responsibilities
• Project Oversight: The Borough must manage the procurement and oversight of specialized transport (Dave’s Towing) and subsequent grant-funded site prep.
• Grant Administration: Responsibilities include applying for and managing state-level funds (e.g., PHMC) for ADA compliance, security, and build-out.
• Site Maintenance: Ongoing upkeep of the "ballast bed" foundation, localized perimeter trail, and native landscaping surrounding the asset.
• Risk Management & Security: Maintaining 24/7 cloud cameras and LED lighting to protect against vandalism and ensure public safety.
• Vendor Management: The Borough will be responsible for soliciting, vetting, and managing the lease agreement with a private commercial tenant.
Potential Cons & Contingencies
• Unexpected Renovation Costs: Historic assets can have unforeseen structural issues (e.g., lead paint or metal fatigue) that may increase build-out costs if not covered by grants.
• Vandalism Risk: As a public landmark, the asset requires active monitoring (cameras/lighting) to prevent damage.
• Operational Dependency: The timeline for opening is dependent on grant cycles and contractor availability, which can occasionally lead to delays.
The Impact of Historic Designation:
• Grant Eligibility: Inclusion in the district unlocks the Keystone Historic Preservation Grant (PHMC), which can cover up to 50% of the costs for "brick and mortar" rehabilitation, such as the ADA ramp and exterior restoration.
• Economic Branding: A nationally recognized historic asset creates a "heritage tourism" draw. Travelers specifically seek out National Register sites, which increases the likelihood of trail users stopping to spend money at local downtown businesses.
• What Inclusion Entails:
• Boundary Increase or Contributing Status: Since the caboose is being moved into the district, the Borough would work with the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to document the caboose as a "contributing structure" to the existing district.
• Standards of Care: The Borough would agree to follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. This ensures that any exterior changes (like the service window or paint) maintain the 1916 historical integrity, protecting the long-term value of the asset.
• No New Restrictions: National District status generally does not restrict how the Borough uses the interior or what a private vendor can sell; it simply ensures the exterior remains a faithful representation of Newville's rail history.
This red, all-steel railcar measures approximately 9 feet wide by 29 feet long. It was donated to the West Shore Historical Society in 2008 and moved to its current position in 2013. The asset is a Class N-5 caboose, a model noted for being among the first all-steel cabooses acquired by the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Key Specifications & History
• Build Date: This unit was built in April 1916.
• Design Class (N-5): The N-5 class was revolutionary as the first all-steel caboose acquired by the PRR. They were built for extreme strength to withstand the pressure of "pusher" locomotives at the rear of heavy freight trains in the mountainous eastern regions.
• Former Service: Records indicate it previously served as a Class N-5 cabin car for the Pennsylvania Railroad before the mergers that created Penn Central and later Conrail.
• Restoration Status: Although it has been on static display in Lemoyne for years, it remains a "gutted but stable" steel shell. This makes it an ideal "blank slate" for the Appendix A Build-Out mentioned in your proposal.
Significance of the Numbers
• The "477" Series: The PRR numbered its steel N-5 and N-5b cabooses in the 477### range. Specifically, the N-5b series (built later in 1941) occupied numbers 477620 through 477819. Your 1916 unit ( #477046) is a primary example of the earliest steel designs used by the PRR.
• "Cabin Car": You may see it referred to as a "cabin car" in official PRR documents, as that was the railroad's specific internal term for a caboose.
• Manufacturing Origins & Technical Heritage
• Manufacturing Location: This caboose was manufactured at the Altoona Works, specifically within the Juniata Shops in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
• The Juniata Shops: Established in 1888-1890, this was the Pennsylvania Railroad’s premier facility for building "Standard Railroad of the World" equipment from the ground up. In 1916, this 30-acre complex was the largest railroad shop facility in the world.
• A "Built-New" Asset: Unlike some later cabooses that were rebuilt from older wooden cars or boxcars, the Class N-5 series was a "built-new" all-steel design. Records confirm #477046 was completed in April 1916. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
• Why This Matters for the Proposal
• Adding this "Altoona-built" provenance to Section 5 of the proposal strengthens the case for National Historic District inclusion:
• Industrial Significance: It is a direct product of the Juniata Shops, a site of global industrial importance.
• Pioneering Technology: As a 1916 N-5, it represents the very first large-scale production of all-steel cabooses in the rail industry.
• Regional Connection: Being manufactured in nearby Altoona makes this asset a homegrown piece of Pennsylvania industrial heritage, reinforcing the "Homecoming" narrative for Newville.
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The Borough may also consider engaging the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy for technical assistance and the Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center (CPACTC) for potential community project collaboration. Seeking guidance from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy could provide the Borough with access to specialized trail grants, best practices for multimodal connectivity, and national visibility within their TrailNation™ portfolio. Furthermore, partnering with CPACTC could offer hands-on learning opportunities for students in fields such as Construction, Maintenance, and Advanced Manufacturing, potentially reducing labor costs for the caboose’s interior fit-out while providing students with high-visibility, "real-world" technical experience.
