Over the last week or so, the Conrail Historical Society has brought back blue cabooses to the Keystone State. Here we see CR 21165 (ex Erie Lackawanna) with 3 NJ Transit cars enroute to Allentown, PA from Harrisburg on NS train 33A.



And at Rockville Bridge




Here's another pic passing the Fleetwood Auto Body plant on the transfer train from Allentown to Reading



(That's a little more like it)

Final destination is Topton, PA for painting and eventually operation. The car will be stripped down to bare metal, repairs made and painted.

Also currently being worked on is CR 67157, a former PRR G36L class gondola.



We've been working on removing the steel floor (to be replaced with a wood floor as it had in service). We also had to remove 3 panels due to severe damage.



We're honored to also be hosting a pupil from the local technical school to help give him practical expierience with metalworking.

More updates as it happens!

Really cool pics of caboose in action!

Is that the old SW from the EPRy that used to reside in Boyertown?

The NJ Transit cars are for your next CRHS excursion, right?

[runs away from thrown spikes and ballast]

Not sure if it was the Boyertown one or not, but it is EPRY.

Brother Mitchell, if they're for the next trip, I'm gonna make you the car host and turn off the A/C. Wash your mouth out with soap!
:-)

Update: 9/18/13

We are proud to announce our newest acquisition! Just received from the NS Foundation is caboose 18452, a former Conrail transfer caboose. This class N11 caboose was built for the Penn Central by the former NYC Despatch Shops. Here she is at Topton with our other caboose (CR 21165 nee EL 368)





And a night shot leaving Allentown Yard



And the local (H47) coming through Topton



Meanwhile, work continues on our gondola. Here's a shot of the car currently. The old stringers have been removed (except for those holding brake gear). New ones will be purchased and installed before the floor goes in.

Glad to see the 18452 found a good home! It had been sitting at Bellevue, Ohio for at least a good year with other shop cars on a track over by the car shop. A few months back it was set on a track with other cars in the West yard and all were stenciled for scrap including the 18452, as i saw it sitting there when passing by on trains, i jotted the number down as i had seen one like it over in Ft. Wayne several years ago that i had taken a photo of but it was the 18462, then about 3 or so weeks ago 18452 was back over by the Bellevue car shop again. You must have gotten her just at the right time!

I gather that CRHS is Conrail Railroad Historical Society. Am I correct?

It wold be helpful if our posters would spell out the names when first used; then go to initials. [Don't worry about the subject line; but the actual post.] It would be helpful to those of us from other parts of the country.

Brian,
Fixed the post. Good point about the acronym. It's actually the ConRail Historical Society (not to be confused with the now defunct CRTS (Conrail Technical Society)).

More work at Topton yesterday (10/12/13). We began by welding the first panel back into our gondola. We also worked on waterproofing our camp car, but the highlight of the day is the gentle sanding of our caboose (CR 21165), a former Erie Lackawanna N7E class caboose.

First, some fine work with the orbital sander revealed this:


Yep! The original EL logo under the Conrail paint. Also, note all the maroon!

Then we brought out the old car number:




A good day to be sure! Very shortly, the 21165 caboose will be sandblasted down to bare metal, repaired (minor repairs) and repainted by our contractor, Central Pennsylvania Rail. Stay tuned for pictures of the work in progress.
Russ

Glad to see the Blue Lady has a new friend to keep her company. I miss seeing her when I go on the property. She done good on the caboose trains this summer.

Thanks Charlie! We enjoyed our time at The M&H, and they've been very gracious hosts. Keeping everything together and allowing us the possibility of getting our own locomotive brought us to Topton. Wait until she's all painted!

Also, a small update, today the grading was done for the CRHS's own siding. We'll have about 400' of track to store our equipment on at our host railroad (Allentown & Auburn RR). Anyone know where we can get a #6 switch and rail / ties donated (or cheap?)?
Russ

Russ-regarding the "gentle sanding", what grit was used for the sanding? Reason I ask is that I have a metal sign which hung over my grandfather's armature shop. It currently is a white sign with black letters, but underneath that is what I remember-blue with white letters. Pondering how to remove the surface coat.

I'll have to check and get back to you John. I seem to remember 200 grit or 250 grit, but I'll be up there Saturday and will look at the package.
Thanks!

John, Sorry it took so long to get back to you. The sand paper was 150 grit with light pressure on an orbital sander.

Just a quick update on progress at Topton:

-The Gondola floor string steel has been purchased using our "Buy A Board" Fundraiser. The steel replaces the old damaged steel removed recently and is used to support the floor boards.

-Caboose 21165 is nearly ready for sandblast and paint. Our Contractor (Central Penn Rail) has been doing some body work and getting materials and tools ready for the job.

-Caboose 18452 is being documented and is our next restoration candidate. Work is expected to commence in March 2014. A synopsis will be made available here for review when completed.

-Flatcar 715788 is almost ready to ship from the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad to Topton. Deck repairs (basic repair for shipping only) and minor brake work will be completed shortly and it'll be shipped by rail.

Thanks for all your support!
Russ Swinnerton
CRHS Vice President