Centennial Park & the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Caboose

Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Car

I stopped in the Centennial Park for a few restful minutes.  The Centennial Park was completed for the town’s 100th anniversary celebration in 1990.

In the center of the park is a Washington and Old Dominion Railroad caboose.  For a better view, you can walk up the red caboose’s steps.

The park is, also, the location of a time capsule which will be opened in the year 2040.

Small Garden in the Center of Town A Row of Purple Flowers

The Audubon Society built a bird and butterfly habitat garden around the caboose.

The park is a peaceful place for all.  Some of the plants already flowered.  There is also a bench to sit on and enjoy the day.

Why were the train cabooses painted red?

The caboose was painted a bright red for visibility and for safety reasons.  At night the train was required to have red reflectors (lights) at the rear of the train. 

It would alert a train coming from behind of its location.