Yosemite Valley Railroad Caboose No. 15
Also known as: Caboose No. 15
Why it's listed
A wooden freight caboose at El Portal, California, recalls the Yosemite Valley Railroad, which ran between Merced and El Portal until it was abandoned and scrapped in 1945 and 1946. This is the railroad's second Caboose No. 15, added to the roster about 1922, though its earlier origins are unknown. It measures just over 28 feet long and has vertical plank siding, a cupola for lookouts, gently rounded roofs, and benches that could serve as bunks. Crews used it to carry the conductor and brakemen on freight trains and as a mobile office for paperwork. Sold in 1946 to a Santa Barbara owner, it later hosted railroad club meetings before the National Park Service bought it in 1961 and moved it to El Portal for an exhibit. It was listed as one of the last two surviving cabooses of the line and as a fine example of a short-line caboose. Its significance covers the exterior, interior and furnishings.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it has local historical significance in transportation as one of the last two surviving cabooses of the Yosemite Valley Railroad, which operated until 1945. It is also a particularly fine example of a short-line railroad caboose, well proportioned and well built, and basically unaltered from its service days.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78000352, listed May 22, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | CA 140, El Portal |
|---|---|
| County | Mariposa County |
| Listed | May 22, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000352 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | c. 1922 - 1945 |
| Architect / builder | Builder unknown (builder's plate is missing) |
| Areas of significance | Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and basically unaltered, except for replaced wheels and possibly other truck parts. It is exhibited at El Portal as part of a Yosemite National Park transportation history display and is owned by the National Park Service. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 37.67505, -119.78038 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78000352.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q96973742
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.