The Fillmore & Western Railway Company has recently purchased the Red Barn fruit stand and garden center, a landmark along Highway 126 east of Santa Paula. The company is restoring and updating the building, along with a name change to Loose Caboose.

The Santa Paula branch line travels through the property, lending itself as a "whistlestop" for the tourist train that carries passengers to Santa Paula from Fillmore each year.

The far west of the property has most recently housed outdoor fire pits and ceramic pottery used in garden landscapes. This area is being cleared and prepared for "Ichabog," the new site for the company's pumpkin patch for the annual PumpkinLiner trains. Loose Caboose will have a soft opening the first week of October for families looking for jack-o-lanterns.

In addition, firstphase restoration will include a fresh produce section with an antique nutcracker for the freshly harvested nuts that will soon be available.

The main building will feature Christmas decorations and an array of gift items. The garden center will continue to sell aquatic plants and supplies, koi ponds, garden ceramic art, fountains and pottery.

Phasetwo restoration, scheduled to take place early in 2009, will include a restaurant in the large, two-story house adjacent to the gift shop and completion of outdoor landscaping and gardens at the rear of the house for outdoor dining and special events such as weddings and parties.

A railroad caboose will be stationed on the property as an historical artifact. The public will be able to board the caboose.

For more information, call (805) 524-2546.