I was on google maps the other day and spotted what appeared to be the body of a PRR MP54 in Hiltons, VA. It had no pantograph nor trucks and appeared to be just laid out on the grass rusting away. A further search on the web said something about a PRR #542 and an owner (now deceased) originally wanting to turn it into a restaurant but failed for financial reasons. My call question goes out to the community for any efforts to try to preserve this rare and nostalgic piece of equipment. I've understood that several of the URHS's MP54s need cosmetic work perhaps this could be a source of spare parts more or less. Here in NY I certainly have no room nor does the RMLI unfortunately. If anyone is interested maybe there's chance worth saving.

Very interesting discovery. MP54's seem to "melt" back into their elements once retired. A serious inspection has to take place before putting too much back into this coach. If it is worth preserving, and that's a huge "if", one should be included in the RMPA collection. If her sills are rotten and trucks are missing, it's unlikely the car would be worth any investment.

In the early 80s, SEPTA began disposing of their MP54s. Many went to junk yards for use as storage bins to keep parts (engines, transmissions, etc.) out of the weather. Unfortunately, most were stripped of operating rail goodies and only the body shell remained. I remember at least 3 junk yards with SEPTA MP54s used for storage. A few went to tourist railroads where they were used as coaches.

I believe the car at Hiltons, VA, was employed as a ticket office and gift shop for the Southwest Virginia Scenic Railroad, which operated circa 1975. It was in pretty rough shape last time I saw it, in 2007.

Alan Maples

I helped repack and move 5 LIRR cars from Westhampton to Riverhead in 1979. A B-60, 200 and three MP-54 variants. Didn't one or more of those MUs get scrapped? I remember talking to Brother Pincus about restoring them at the time, and his reply was "There's nothing left to weld to.".

That was thirty seven years ago. Assuming that this MP-54 is about the same age, I would suspect that it is in the same condition or worse that those three LIRR cars would be in now, 37 years later. Just another one to write off as too far gone...

Hi,

I seem to recall that a few wood D&RGW cars on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic were little more than patterns for new wood to be made. The resultant was more of a replica than a restoration. Same with one of the East Brod Top steel hoppers - almost all the stell plate had to be removed and new parts cut to make them useful ballast hoppers.

Maybe using an almost gone MP54 could be used as patterns for a replica MP54.

Just a thought for a very historic item.

Doug vV

Well the boys over at the W&W have another extra MP54 which was supposed be be refurbished as a coach. When possible I'd consult them on salvaging the trucks,couplers and underside equipment for use on #542. According to records the unit was as-built a trailer with no propulsion equipment: transformer, pantograph etc. In its current state I could see possible use as maybe an exhibit hall or ticket office as originally intended. I'll contact the town office on Monday and see what's available as means of reference,

Cameron

I checked the Private Passenger Car Annual (David L. Briggs, RPC Publications, 1980), and for the SW Virginia Scenic, it lists:

Ex-RDG baggage, number/name unknown, RDG heritage unknown.

Ex-CNJ coach, number/name unknown, CNJ heritage unknown.

5 ex-RDG coaches, numbers/names unknown, RDG heritages unknown.

There is no mention under SW Virginia Scenic of the #542. However, just above the SW Virginia Scenic listing is the listing for the Southern Appalachian Railway in Micaville, NC. The only car for the Southern Appalachian which is listed is the #542, listed as a Class MP54E5 72 seat MU coach, ex-PC, nee-PRR.

_________________
Additions and corrections are welcome. Thanks in advance.

[/quote]
Well the boys over at the W&W have another extra MP54 which was supposed be be refurbished as a coach. When possible I'd consult them on salvaging the trucks,couplers and underside equipment for use on #542. According to records the unit was as-built a trailer with no propulsion equipment: transformer, pantograph etc. In its current state I could see possible use as maybe an exhibit hall or ticket office as originally intended. I'll contact the town office on Monday and see what's available as means of reference,

Cameron[/quote]

The W&W had 11 MP54's until recently. I believe there are still 3 which they own, and two that were sold to the Walkersville Southern but never moved off the property. ( maybe they finally have been?) The 4 that were acquired with the 0-6-0 #58 from Avondale were scrapped several years back after being up for sale for several years. Two were also somewhere in the yard in South Philly with damage, and I believe they were scrapped as well.

The car I think you speak of, the 450, was last used in the late 90s for extra capacity and like the 442 was also used on regular Saturday Trips to Hockessin, and was in good shape until vandals broke into the cars and set small fires and caused other damage.

442 was converted to their open car and the 450 remains in storage. There are days they could use another coach, I just dont think they have the indoor storage capacity for it.

There is also the former Penn Central Green MP54 that Sat on 1 track as storage.

A 12th MP54 was sold to the Queen Ann's Railroad with the 0-6-0T#3 and was also scrapped I believe.

So at least 7 of these cars, which were owned by the W&W at some point, have been scrapped withing the last 10 years with no salvaging of major components like trucks and draft gear.

There is a reason so few of these cars remain in service today, when compared to the Reading, CNJ, Lackawanna and Southern Pacific commuter cars that we see in tourist service today.

Ted, you have provided an interesting and helpful note here. I've wondered what happened to the coaches from the Southern Appalachian Railway, which only operated 1968 - 1969 over the tracks of the Yancy Railroad. They had two cars - the MP54 and an unidentified "CNJ coach", which I now believe was car 1007 that also ended up at Hiltons as part of the Southwest Virginia Scenic, and which I now own.

My folks took me by Hiltons in August 1976 and the train had already ceased operating. I made a note of the car numbers:

1715 - Reading baggage, named "Moccasin Gap"
1295 - Reading coach
1299 - Reading coach
1527 - Reading coach, rear vestibule converted to open platform
1007 - CNJ coach
1291 - Reading coach, converted to open air car (windows removed)
1528 - Reading coach, converted to open air car (windows removed)
542 - PRR MP54, no trucks, on ground, ticket office & gift shop

There is a nice story by Ron Flanary in the November 1976 "Rail Classics" magazine covering the Southwest Virginia Scenic. The Reading coaches and the steam engine (Buffalo Creek & Gauley #4, aka "Slobberface") came from the short lived Quakertown & Eastern excursion operation (1968-1970), and all subsequently went to the North Carolina Transportation Museum.

Below is a photo of the Southern Appalachian Railway from the old Steam Directory.

Alan Maples

Nice catch of Thomas the Tank Engine in one of its previous lives!

I'm curious, what route did this move take? Were you able to take the Central Branch to Bethpage Jct., or did you have to go all the way west to Holban and then east again? Either way, that's >100 miles by rail to travel a net distance of about 8 miles as the crow flies, which is slightly insane. (The scrapping of the Manorville-Eastport cutoff in 1949 has to have been one of the stupidest decisions the LIRR ever made. Had it still been in place, your task would have been much easier.)

My understanding is that the RMLI MP54s have since been scrapped. However, there is still one MP54 combine in use as a tourist information center in Port Jefferson Station, which I think may be the last one left on Long Island.

-Philip Marshall

Looking at #542's cab I see its quite reasonably intact considering the fact its been left alone for more than 4 decades san the door. What type of whistle did the MP54s use by any chance, the Westinghouse "Trombone"? I do remember a Mr. Gross from the URHS offering up their own MP54s up for sale. My only guess would be to strip one of the existing units down and salvage as much parts for re-use.

.
Keep in mind the story of the lady who kept two laying hens and when one of them took ill she killed the healthy chicken to make chicken soup for the sick chicken.

GME

Philip- With regard to moving "the South Bronx on wheels", we used the Central Branch. This move was scheduled for after the evening rush, and was made with an MP-15 at each end, with their brake pipes tied together with some one inch construction hose that I had rented. We took our time, and had to wait at Ronkonkoma for the morning Westbound rush.

I was riding the cab of one of the pups, and at one point during the night, being tired, I slumped down against the electrical cabinet and knocked off the fuel pump breaker! After Ronkonkoma, I rode into Riverhead in style, in the 200. And I still say that the deadhead moves were always more fun that the trips I've worked on.