As some of you may know, our collection here in Altoona contains a Pennsy R50b Express Refrigerator. Is anyone aware of any other remaining INTACT example of this car other than ours?Thanks

SCRM has an ex-ACL express reefer. Currently in SCL paint, but the plan is to repaint it into the ACL Champion scheme sometime in the next couple years. It's high on the paint list, but not quite at the top.

I believe last time I went through Lewistown Pennsylvania, the body of a R50 was in the old storage yard along Roundhouse Road. I do not believe any others survive.

Last I knew (about last summer), there was the body of what I believe was a Pennsy Express refer in a scrap yard at Wooster, Ohio. If memory serves, there were actually two, and right near the gate. Being as I am not a PRR-fan first, whether it is specifically an R-50 is unknown to me. If someone could give me some details to look for, I will be going down that way in a couple of weeks, and could make a better determination. Wooster also has two 40-foot cars with trucks in storage on what remains of an industrial spur between two buildings on the south side of Wooster/ the highway. Hope this helps,TJG

Hello,I would suggest asking your question at:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PassengerCarList/andhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/STMFCfor a diagram of a R-50 (or almost any other piece of PRR equipment) see:http://prr.railfan.netThis link shows a recent HO scale Walthers model of this type of car:http://walthers.com/exec/productinfo/932-5881Tom Cornillie

I shall repost your query at the PRR-FAX Yahoo-group, the hang-out of every self-professed Slobbering Pennsy Fanatic (and many who are but won't acknowledge it). It shall no doubt descend into vigorous debate as to whether the modifications or differences spotted in the Ohio and Lewistown cars constitute an official sub-R50 class or not, and/or whether said classes were ever officially authorized or notated by the PRR, someone dragging out the original PRR drawings from his basement, someone else pointing to his carefully preserved general bulletin of November 21, 1948 (or some such date) with conflicting information............Do you really want to go there, Mr. Cessna?

Let those who want to debate do so. My real interest is in any surviving INTACT examples of this car outside of the one we have. I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that we own a "one of a kind" at this point.Thanks

Florida Gulf Coast RR Museum also has an ACL Express Reefer which will also get the purple and silver treatment when we around to it. It was donated by Seaboard System before CSX came to be.-Jim Herron

I remember the purported PRR R50 at Lewistown from years ago.IF that car is still extant, it is in the possession of a railroad authority (SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority, contracted to Juniata Valley, a sister road of the "Robey empire") that at least has a proven track record of being friendly to rail preservationists. However, there are two other parties that may be lusting for possession of that car, one of them being the PRRT&HS in Lewistown Station a couple hundred yards from that car.I would call up the railroad offices in Northumberland and inquire if the car is still there. At least three officials there will at least know what a PRR R50 is.

Jim,Do you happen to know if the car you reference came from Jesup, GA? I recall seeing one in Jesup in the mid- 1980's (I think I got a photo), but it has been gone for some time and I was wondering if it was saved or was scrapped. The one in Jesup was missing draft gear on one end, but I suppose this would have been replaced for a move of any distance.

As of two weeks ago, the R50b body was still there in Lewistown, and in use for one yard-related purpose or another. A couple of guys at the door gave the couple of us funny looks as we performed a drive-by inspection. The boss and I were in town for a contract job.DV