During the recent re-double tracking of the Conrail Shared Assets former Lehigh Valley mainline through South Plainfield, NJ a Burro crane with a vintage Reading flat car as been assigned to the South P. yard.

The flat still wears full Reading paint. According to the stenciling it is RDG #97038 class FM built in June 1942. Pretty cool to find a 65 year old flat car still in her original owner’s paint working on a Class One line.

Pics at http://www.robertjohndavis.com/blog/

Rob Davis

Do I see a still-in-service car with plain bearings?

It might surprise some but a lot of plain friction bearing cars are still in service, even on such mighty roads as the UP. But NOT in interchange service. Despite invoking of many rules, most railroads do not enforce such stuff for on line and MOW service. I believe the EJ&E has a group of hoppers for steel mill slag service, and those new cars were equipped with friction bearing trucks salvaged from the previous group with worn out car bodies. Again, an on line move, although certainly REVENUE service.

Bob Kutella