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This is the kind of post I like to read, Nice job.

Grumpy Jensen

That car reflects the artistry of another age, brought up to modern standards. Congratulations on another job that deserves accolades.

magnificent work as always!

Strasburg show us - frequently - what can be done combining modern materials and techniques with old school rolling stock to keep them running with less down time and long term cost than sticking to historic ways - which is wonderful for tourist railroads. I'm grateful they are so willing to share their experiences in specifics with the rest of us. Now I have to look up that new synthetic lumber Kelly mentions.......

I'm convinced that if they are going to go into service they better not be artifacts in preservation.

The attention to the details, care in workmanship and the many innovations with materials on this car is nothing less than amazing!

Long before this car became "Marian", it was the coach 'White Horn Brook" on the Narragansett Pier RR. In 1970, I rode this car (and an ex-B&M combine) in regular freight service (PC-EL) from Kingston RI to Bath, NY. Between Providence and Cedar Hill, these cars were handled in the "Advance Jet" with several miles clocked through the Great Swamp (RI) averaging 68 MPH, in spite of a waybill restriction of 50 MPH.

Typical of wooden cars in those days, the body trusses had been long neglected, the structure was out of tension, and every plank was "working", in proportion to track speed!

That trip was also memorable for one and only ride over the Poughkeepsie Bridge.

I would urge RYPN readers to visit Strasburg and take the shop tour, where you will see how Kelly and his team have thoughtfully and effectively "restored" structural integrity. They have built many years of new life into these cars, prudently "adapting" where necessary.