Cover the Caboose

Nelson County Parks and Recreation has teamed up with the Fleetwood Harmony Masonic Lodge No. 92 to raise funds to construct a cover over the Piney River Caboose.

The Caboose sits at the Piney River Trailhead of the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail. It had been used in the area for many years before being decommissioned in 1960 to make way for newer steel, bay window cabooses. In the 2010’s Nelson native, the late Ted Hughes sought after the caboose where it had been sitting in Rapidan, VA to return it to its glory and be placed alongside the now Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail adjacent to the Piney River Depot. Mr. Hughes along with many friends completed the restoration of the caboose in its current location during 2019.

It is the goal of Nelson County Parks and Recreation to minimize weathered wear to the caboose by constructing a structure over the caboose which will help preserve it and extend the pristine lifespan made possible by Mr. Hughes and crew.

Donations can be made to the Fleetwood Harmony Masonic Lodge in the form of cash, check or online by card. Please indicate “Cover The Caboose” on all donations.

Mail donations to: Fleetwood Harmony Masonic Lodge No. 92, PO Box 172, Lovingston, VA 22949 or drop off to the Nelson County Parks and Recreation Department office located in The Nelson Center.

Donation Tiers (including benefits at each level)

  • $100: Brakeman – Limited Edition PRVA Sticker available only to CTC Sponsors
  • $250: Conductor – Limited Edition PRVA Sticker available only to CTC Sponsors and Name on Plaque
  • $500: Iron Horse – Limited Edition PRVA Sticker available only to CTC Sponsors, Name on Plaque,  Engraved Glass. 2 Tickets to Completion Reception
  • $1000: Club 1914 – Limited Edition PRVA Sticker available only to CTC Sponsors, Name on Plaque, Engraved Glass, 4 Tickets to Completion Reception

Each ticket to the reception will also receive a complementary engraved glass.

“Club 1914” Corporate sponsors will have the opportunity to have their logo on a banner displayed at reception and will remain at the trail for 12 months following the reception.

All donors of $100 or more will be included on a plaque to be displayed on site.

If you have any questions regarding the project, please contact Nelson County Parks and Recreation.

Phone: 434-263-7130
Email: 

Stop in to The Nelson Center located at: 8445 Thomas Nelson Hwy, Lovingston, VA 22949

Cover the Caboose