Rolling out this Monday for the public as a first-class, extra fare car is Philadelphia & Reading Car 10. Below is a 2002 roster shot when she was repainted:



We put a genset under it this Spring and got all of the other mechanicals working. An important ethic for us in this restoration was preservation of her profile and historic interior. To that end, we worked with minimum impact, attempting to shoe-horn stuff in where we could and using existing systems where possible. Below is a shot of the old water tank shroud:



Viola! Open it up on its new gas shocks, and there is a generator set behind it!



We did the same with the battery boxes and covers. Here’s the critical panel, part of the new water system, and the septic system, behind old battery box covers:



The transformers, also behind old battery box covers:



We also used the same approach in the interior. Here’s the genset control wedged into the 32 volt DC lighting cabinet:



Here’s a shot of the galley sink with a new, reproduction cartridge fixture. We used the existing bronze water piping as much as possible:



Some other interior shots. The main salon with secretaries’ desks:



Looking the other direction in the main salon at the fold-down berth. The berth was re-upholstered as a settee:



The WC. Notice the new Microphor head and the nickel-plated faucets. The sink is original.



Some other info: The lighting is still 32 volt – AC. The 32 volt DC fans are powered by little bridge rectifiers no larger than a pat of butter. Fixed lower beds were removed and preserved, and replaced with settees or parlor chairs. Hot water is provided by 240 volt demand heaters.

There were a few teething problems this week. No 7 journal had to be fussed over. Here’s a photo after repacking with the new brass installed:



Prices and particulars can be found on the railroad’s website: http://www.strasburgrailroad.com

Wow! I didn't realize that this car was to be used in near daily service! Now Strasburg is going for the big bucks, but that certainly is a unique way to see the SRR.

Hello Steve,
As usual some very fine work turned out. By the way, what's in the suitcase?
Dave

What IS in the suitcase Steve!?

Robert Yuill

Absolutely, beautiful work. Resourceful and creative uses of original facades and spaces.

Great job!

Ted.

Ahh, yes ... The perennial question. The "suitcase" is my grip. And what is in one's grip? That, as all ladies know, is a very private question ...

But let us indulge my interrogators:

1. One (1) Strasburg Rail Road Rulebook with current Timetable;
2. Two (2) fifteen-minute fusees;
3. One (1) lunch;
4. One (1) dog-earred copy of FRA Federal Emergency Order No 23;
5. Two (2) No 11 welding lenses;
6. Five (5) clear welding lenses;
7. One (1) wallet belonging to S. Weaver;
8. One (1) laminated copy of SRC's DOT drug-testing policy;
9 Two (2) SRC switch keys;
10. One (1) SRC Locomotive Engineer's license issued to S. Weaver;
11. Other accumulated what-not.

To the other posters: Please excuse my interrogators; they love to ask this question whenever I see them.

It was a privilege to work on this car and a privilege to work with such fine co-workers.

Steve, Grip contents aside, I think y'all have done a beautiful job of making the car usable in the 21st century while still respecting it's historic integrity. I wish more organizations followed the standards that Strasburg sets.

I am interested in reading more about this work, but did not see anything on the website specifically pertaining to this project. One thing I am curious about is, if a diesel genset occupies the space where the original water tank used to be, where is the water tank now?

Wondeful work!!! What a gem. Hope I can borrow her for a little trip I'm planning for 2009-2011??? Guess I'll need to speak with Linn about roller bearings??
Thanks for setting the bar high for others to hopefully emulate!!
Ross Rowland

There are two 25 gallon interconnected fresh water tanks, and a 25 gallon holding tank for the Microphor, mounted in an insulated and freeze protected array behind the relay box. In the picture of the transformers, it's to the left of them, in the big box looking thing. They are pvc marine units, off the shelf.

It's a delightful ride. Much smoother, due to weight and the six wheel trucks, than the regular coaches. The generator is almost imperceptible. The airconditioning is blown around by the original fans.

Steve W.didn't elaborate on some other things that where done, like putting a modern two piece fridge unit in the kitchen ice box, so the original ice box is now the drink cooler, and the oven is in the design stage of electrification, so the oven, will be the oven/food warmer/keeper.

Come ride!

Steve Spangler

"never underestimate the perversity of an inanimate object"