This boxcar sits alongside an industry along the NS Buffalo Line in Montgomery, Pa. (south of Williamsport). It's supposedly a former Reading RR car; it's been there for years, if not decades.

I have no indication at the moment that these guys intend to get rid of it. But should someone want to follow my earlier advice/suggestions and approach these guys well before they shut down or get rid of this car, you have a nice opportunity here for a static museum or photo freight.

Be advised that there is already one local railroad museum a few miles to the south that may take this car under its wing (the White Deer RR Museum, Central Pa. Chapter NRHS). I just don't want to hear the moans of "Nobody ever told US!!!" again.....

who knows, maybe a model railroad is inside. Someone was serious enough to run some stairs up to the door.

You should check it out some more.

It looks like the car is somewhat accessable in you photo so.. Next time you get over there check out the truck frames and center sill under the car, maybe the original car number is still there somewhere. Nice find!

Ryan

I agree. This is a really nice find. And the car appears very well taken care of. Last year, our museum added a 40' Pullman-Standard built PS-1 boxcar (C&NW #284) to its collection. We appreciated the donation very much, even though the car isn't in nearly as nice shape as this one. We shall eventually restore it however and it will look great with its billboard lettering of "Route of the 400 Streamliners" on one side and "The Overland Route" on the other. There are privately owned gems like this still out there. Let's hope that we can continue to save a few of them down the road.

Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum/North Judson, Indiana)

Ah yes...
This car. I'm pretty sure that it's an XAPc, used for auto parts, and apparently not real heavy ones, either. I know that the RCT&HS has looked at this car. That was when the factory was still producing narrow fabric, probably two owners ago. From what I know, the building itself is empty. The side of the car that faces the wall is unpainted, and shows the rather plain "READING" lettering, with no herald or italic "speed lettering". These cars are somewhat unusual in that they have flat roofs (no ribs). They were the "hi-cubes" of their day. The Reading sold a number of cars for use as quickie storage sheds and buildings, usually less trucks. Many of these ended up (and many are still there) in the coal regions.

The car was used as the "factory outlet" for that building (probably THREE owners ago), and the one door at the steps slides to reveal a glass store-type door. The interior is paneled and has a ceiling with fluorescent lights. and maybe display cases. Most of that would have to probably be taken down before it's moved.

Why didn't the RCT&HS grab this car? Other priorities. It wouldn't take much to move it, just a couple of cranes, a flatbed and a lowboy, and a shoebox full of 20 dollar bills (100s would be better). The White Deer group acquired their collection when the stuff could be moved on the real railroads, and they have quite a bit, which they seem to be a bit challenged with. (you know, like just about everybody else)

The shoebox awaits!

Seems to me, if the car interior is still in that shape that'd be a perfect "ready made museum gift shop" just sayin..

Ryan

But should we be using interpretable artifacts as gift shops?

I know how I'd vote for my organization...