In case we think that "recycling" is new No. 1817 and her sister No. 1821 are proof that railways have been in the business for many years. In 1955 No. 1817 was rebuilt from PGE stock car No. 503 and a year later No. 1821 was rebuilt from a CPR boxcar. They were part of a plan by PGE implemented in 1951 to build a series of modern cabooses from 40 ton former refrigerator, boxcars and stockcars. The conversions took place in the PGE car shop preserved in the West Coast railway Heritage Park. Eventually thirty cabooses were built, numbered from 1811 to 1840. In their conversion they were stripped to the frame and rebuilt using conventional methods. They were sheathed inside and out with 1/2" marine plywood. The cupolas were constructed of sheet metal and welded for extra strength. They were found to be quite warm and comfortable. Each had a standard caboose cook stove and were equipped with 3 bunks under which were lockers for storage of such items as spare knuckles for couplers, wire rope, tools and personal effects of the train crew.