Its been a long time in getting here, but the caboose that Mike Bast, Troy Rogers and myself purchased from the Reading and Northern has been delivered to the TrainWorks Museum in Weatherly, PA and restoration work is beginning.
The car was built in 1873 as a boxcar for the Southern Railroad of New Jersey, converted to a caboose in the early 1900's and was in service on the CNJ until just before Conrail. Purchased by RailTours of Jim Thorpe, the car spent most of the time serving as the ticket office in Jim Thorpe, PA.
It will be restored to a 1930-40's appearance with the tongue-and-groove wood being reapplied, and a Central RR of PA paint scheme applied.
The first (of many) work sessions will be held on Saturday 9-11-2010 at Weatherly, PA. All are welcome to come out and restore this car to her hidden beauty.
The car will be open to the public during the TrainWorks Festival on 9-18 & 19, 2010 in Weatherly, PA.
Anyone with photos of this car in service on the CNJ prior to 1975? We would like to establish a pattern of service that the car was in and where.
