I am aware of the PRR NX23 Cabin Car (Caboose) in Pemberton, NJ. This website: http://www.prrh.org/equipment/PRR_cabooses.html lists two other survivors. One was in Lapel, IN at Nancy's Grocery, but the notation is "GONE TO?". The other is listed as being in Urbana, OH.

Are there any other survivors?

-Mark

Unless someone has submitted a bid recently, the Pemberton NX23 won’t be a survivor much longer. Last I heard the scrappers were to submit new bids and the high bid on the car from the last go around was in the $100-$125 price range. The ancient trucks under the car (not original) are worth at least that much. With no cupola, it should be a fairly easy car to move.

I did not want to say anything prematurely, but I have submitted a bid. The trustee, John K. Fiorilla, has accepted the bid and will recommend it to the court.

In my opinion this car belongs at the RR Museum of PA. They have the shop facilities and the expertise to restore it. Even if it has to spend some more time outside it would still be in good hands.

I have contacted the RRMPa and offered to donate the car. I hope that they decide to accept it. In passing they noted that they have other cabooses that are redundant to the collection that they want to deaccession, I did not ask for details. I did stress that this car is rare or unique, and the role it played in the war effort.

This car has an important story to tell. It starts out as PRR X23 1912 steel underframe box (PRR house) car. It is converted in 1943-44 to a "War Emergency" NX23 Cabin car. The need to convert the car underscores the great demands placed on the railroads during WW2 and it illustrates the lengths that the railroad went to meet those demands.

I had the opportunity to do a small amount of work on the car in Pemberton, before we were locked out. It was breaking my heart that it would be destroyed. It seems to me that scrapping it would be an act of barbarian vandalism.

-Mark

Mark:
Congratulations on taking on the NX23. I had thrown in the towel on the CNJ hack when my primary site for it fell through. I have since come up with two other potential locations for it, but have been reluctant to pursue them working by myself. Working together and moving two pieces might make such sites more realistic. One site is in eastern PA and quite enticing, but distance from home was an issue. Again, working with others might be a help.

Last I heard there may have been a second offer on the CNJ caboose so I can probably back off my efforts to find a home for it.

Let me know if you are interested in the sites I have come up with. Best to get me on email at jrmay@monmouth.com

J.R.

Mark:
I noticed yesterday the N5C has been moved. Where did you end up taking it?

That leaves only the NX23 and the CNJ caboose on site.

J.R.

All three cabooses are moving to safe and secure private storage. If and when any of them are accepted by a museum, and placed on display, their location will be shared. Until then it is best to discourage trespassing.

RRMPa declined to take the NX23, because, "They already have similar box cars, and they have several cabooses." When I politely and quietly explained why this car was unique and appropriate for their collection, the museum representative became upset. I am wondering about their understanding of railroad artifacts.

I am disappointed that no one here could comment on the rarity of the NX23. I should probably ask on one of the PRR lists.

I would like to cocoon the NX23 and JCL cabooses until it becomes possible for someone to work on them again.

I am also getting the passenger shelter and the telegraph shack. The winning bidder said they were too damaged to move and directed the Trustee to give them to whoever wanted them. I know that carpenter bees had been in the roof of the telegraph shack, but it is repairable. If not for the mayor it may have been repaired three years ago, it was a project for Spring 2010. I am happy that these structures from the local area and the Pemberton branch line will be staying in the local area.

It has taken a long time for the site to be open enough to move these cars. I am hoping that the moves will be completed next week. We are now just waiting for the weather.

-Mark

Thanks for the update, Mark. Shoot me an email if you would like any help.

Back when I was looking at it I did quite a web search on such cars and came to the conclusion that bringing it back to a boxcar configuration may be more appropriate from a preservation stand point. As a boxcar, I had a potential location for it, along with some financial backing, but it would have to be restored before it could be publically displayed. That seems to be the catch 22 with this stuff. As I found on the CNJ caboose, if I could have had the brakes and trucks over hauled before moving it, finding a home for it would have been much easier. As I looked at my options for it, I checked all kinds of non-railroad storage locations where it could be stashed while the trucks were over hauled. I even looked at what it might cost to buy a custom trailer for it. Plenty of options on ebay and craigslist for used trailers and such. Kind of what Car57 does. What I needed sounds like what you have come up with which is a place to keep it for some period of time. If at all possible, spend the time working on the trucks and brakes. Have these cars ready to hit the rails.

J.R.