Just read that PRR 492406 has been moved to the Allentown & Auburn Railroad where she was seen moving in a train over the railroad! Amazing restoration thus far considering her condition when the project was started and where she was described as "looking like a bonfire waiting for a match..."! Really looking forward to the next step and her completion.

Les

You beat me to it! Yes, we are very happy to announce that our PRR 492406 was moved over the weekend from Columbus, NJ, where we have been working on it for a number of years, to the Allentown & Auburn Railroad in Topton, PA. This will allow us access to a full shop and resources to complete the project, and allow the car to be used on revenue tourist trains and photo freights when complete. Saturday was the first time since the mid 1960s that this caboose has moved on live rail, and we are excited to begin this next chapter in the caboose’s history. Huge thank you to Dunne’s Towing and the A&A for making this all come together!

For a series of photos, without using Facebook, you can visit:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

Appreciate the support and positive thoughts from everyone,
J.R. May

That's awesome!
The A&A is a great little operation.

In the February 2022 report of PRR # 492406 being moved to the Allentown & Auburn Railroad, the photos were all taken from the one side of the cabin car. The other side had not yet been restored. Now a new note on AOTT shows that work has been done on that other side of the caboose. Things are moving along!


Les

As today’s caboose work day comes to an end, perhaps a look back at 2022 is in order. It started out in January with continued side wall framing work in 15 degree weather while still located in Columbus, NJ which was where most of the work was done over the previous 4 or so years. February was probably the most exciting month as the caboose was loaded on a truck for its ride to the Allentown and Auburn RR where it polished the rails for the first time in over 50 years. Just an amazing moment – and cold. Why is it always cold? And if not cold, why does it seem to rain at the wrong time? A big effort over a long rainy weekend saw the siding completed on the other side of the body. A huge step. Later, the end wall siding would be installed and window openings cut in. Two PRR pot belly stoves were picked up with restoration started using the parts from both to build one good one for use in the cab. Work on the 3’ gauge Vulcan continued by the crew with relocation and motor installation being the big accomplishments there. At the same time, the three Plymouths in Columbus all found new homes, one to a local historical society, another to a non-profit in Colorado, and the 3rd to Oklahoma. There's been some work on a certain CNJ caboose as well - look for more on that in 2023. The year ended late this afternoon with the installation of the first platform on the caboose. For 2023? Maybe the year of the cupola? And perhaps hear the Vulcan run for the first time? Stay tuned. Thanks to the crew for making this possible! What a year!

It's been a year since anything has been posted on this restoration project, can anyone give us an update ?

Gosh, is 2023 really coming to a close? Work continued on a regular basis through 2023, usually every other weekend but depended on the weather. The last of the side windows was cut in, siding was completed, and both platform decks built and installed.

Key project over a good portion of the year was to address the roof length over the platforms. The roof length over the platforms was lengthened in the 1920s when the new railings and brake wheel were installed, but we built the roof to the original 1914 drawings (they were more detailed and easier to read versus later drawings), so the roof was a few inches short which caused the ladders and railings to lean in. Looking at original pieces that were saved we could see how the PRR extended the roof, plus looked at many photos of other N6b's and how their roofs were extended. A plan was developed by the crew (every option was looked at) and work commenced on extending the roof with a bolt in top plate extension about 24" long and a long scarf joint to join our original to the replacement piece. This has been a big job to pull off. The framework over one end of the car has been successfully extended, we are now working to finish the other end. Once the framework is done, then the replacement roof boards can be installed.

In other news, the crew started the 3' gauge Vulcan for the first time a few weeks ago. A major achievement on that project. Nothing like starting a big gas engine for the first time! On the CNJ caboose that was mentioned in 2022, we have looked at other such CNJ hacks and pulled together ideas to make needed steel frame repairs before new wooden side sills can be installed.

And plans for 2024? Finish the roof extension work, start the cupola construction, and with platform handrails in place the hand brake wheels can be installed and brake work begun. Still need to figure out how to install the marker lamp brackets - a difficult angled cut is needed there for the brackets to be installed.

More regular updates with photos are provided on the PRR N6b No. 492406 Restoration Project facebook page.

J.R. May

Great work! However if I put that much work into correcting rot and and water damage I would have had at least 5 gallons of copper napthenate to protect it.