Sparta Officials Want To Show Off New Caboose During Lester Flatt Day

Sparta workers trying to get the city’s new train caboose spruced up in time for this weekend’s Lester Flatt Day.

Sparta City Administrator Tonya Tindle said they hope to get another coat of paint on the new addition before the weekend. Years of old paint had recently been removed and the engine prepped. Tindle said it has been nice seeing the caboose become transformed as restoration work has continued to bring it back to life.

“At first it was donated it kind of looked like just a big eyesore,” Tindle said. “We’re kind of seeing the steps of it getting finished and yeah we’re getting excited about getting it done we think it’s going to be an attraction.”

Tindle said they wanted to make the caboose accessible from the downtown without putting it in the way. A Lester Flatt Celebration runs all day Saturday with bluegrass music, classic cars, food and more.

“It couldn’t be like at the police department, somewhere where you going to stick it in the parking lot,” Tindle said. “So it had to be at a park, and so the other park really didn’t have room for it.”

Tindle said the caboose painting and trim work still need to be completed, as well as a painting and city logo. Tindle said that they also will be putting up nice lighting, possibly from both on top and underneath.