In 1929, the Monon Railroad acquired several wooden cabooses from American Car & Foundry and put them to work on the line. Among them was a caboose that would later carry the number 81402.

Over the years, and until its retirement in 1969, #81402 probably made many trips through Salem as it tagged along at the end of trains moving from Chicago to Louisville. Like many cabooses of its style, it was changed from a cupola-style to a bay window caboose.

In 1969 it became the property of James Shaw, a Monon engineer, who moved it to his home in Lafayette. Shaw, using plans obtained from the Monon shops in Lafayette, removed the bay windows and replaced the cupola.

Several years later, after the Monon merged with Louisville & Nashville Railroad, Shaw was transferred by the L&N to Louisville. He and his wife moved to Henryville, bringing the caboose with them. They had it placed in the woods near the house, with the intent of turning it into a guest house.

When Shaw retired from the L&N, he and his wife decided to move back to the Lafayette area. The caboose did not make the trip.

The Shaws sold their property to Andy Beyl. Later, following his marriage, Andy and his wife, Stephanee, decided the caboose had historic value and needed a good home. They eventually donated it to The Depot and in 1997 it was moved by flatbed truck from Henryville to Salem.

John Stingel of Salem rebuilt #81402, replacing the siding, rebuilding the windows and cupola. [Related Images]  Even before The Depot was built, the caboose was attracting visitors to the John Hay Center.  Today #81402 is an important part of The Depot’s exhibit. School tours begin at the caboose, with children filing through the unique piece of railroad equipment. On display are the conductor’s desks and a stove for heating and cooking. Also, a number of Association of American Railroads posters that are on the walls.

To commemorate the role Salem played in the organization 1847 of the New Albany & Salem Rail Road, later the Monon, #81402 carries the Monon logo, but also is lettered “New Albany & Salem Rail Road.”