That seems like an historical railroad car that was incorporated as a part of a large building, and then became isolated as an inaccessible and lost part of that building due to remodeling of the building. It seems like quite a find.

Already been posted several days ago, its number is 1279.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34772

Mike Pannell

Wow, it's a great find, but the condition it's in! I have to wonder if the unusual C&O box car in Russell, Ky. wouldn't be easier to rebuild to operation than to do something even cosmetic with this one. So, so much is missing; looks like all you would have would be the roof and some bulkheads. Sides, all cut to pieces by the owners over the years; all that trussing that's in those sides is gone.

What would you do with what amounts to some parts?

My guess is that it is a Northern Pacific coach. We've been restoring one (#950) at the Colfax Railroad Museum for the last few years. An article on that restoration appeared in a recent issue of Mainstreeter, the NPRHA magazine. I would love to get some of the wood parts from the vestibules. Our car was stripped out for conversion to a residence. Was actually in a bout the same condition.

Egads, if that's what you had to work with, you must be miracle workers.

Any chance you can post photos of what you've been up to? Could make believers out of some of us (including me), and get you admiration from everyone (also including me)! :-)

Here are the before during and current pictures on NP #950. Doors are finished, just waiting for the hardware we got this winter to install (snow is still about 9" deep along side the car). Next up will be installing the truss rod on the opposite side and fabricating new queenposts and installing. Interior is waiting until the carbody is stabilized. We have milled the mahogany wall boards already. Biggest headache is the missing trim in the vestibules.

Thanks for the photos; she looks like she'll be a classic when you're done.

Wish we had more cars like this, enough for a proper train. . .