Some Summit Hill residents and borough officials are wondering why a railroad caboose has been placed on a dirt lot at the corner of Route 902 and East White Bear Drive in the borough.

The caboose appeared last week. It is situated on rails. However, there are no train tracks. There’s no railroad even close to the site, which is near Mauch Chunk Lake. The back of the lot is woods.

Borough Secretary/Treasurer Kira Steber said Tuesday that she hasn’t been informed of any plans for the car, which appears to be in need of repairs.

According to reports, the caboose is on land at the former Jefferson Barney Pit, which served as part of the Switchback Railroad. The lot is owned by the Henninger family.

The caboose is privately owned and moved to the location last week via crane.

The Barney Pit was buried following the end of the Switchback Railroad. In 2002, an archaeological excavation of the site began. Five years later, through the help of area residents, the pit excavation was completed.

Interesting finds included a double track railroad tie and two Barney cars buried in the pit.

Reporter Amy Miller contributed to this report.