Another D&GV Car Finished

jayrod · **Posted:** Sun Aug 09, 2020 4:25 pm

The D&GV Restorations Shop completed painting another car - a Gulf tank car: https://www.facebook.com/DGVRestorations/photos/a.136324311170114/198879481581263/?type=3&theater

The next one in the shop is a 52’6” gondola. They are certainly keeping busy.

WVNorthern · **Posted:** Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:23 pm

I'm pleasantly surprised to see the work being done on a lot of cars that have been out of service for a long time. Also I give the D&GVRR a lot of credit for rebuilding the 14 miles of track between Cass & Durbin that was washed out by a "500 year flood" back in 1985. Only a bridge remains to be rebuilt and the state of WV just awarded the contract for it. The three-truck Climax was finally finished after 20-some years of work. They currently have six operational steam engines. Through the grapevine I understand John Smith's approach is sometimes "my way or the highway". Some employees did not stay on after the switch and there were some hard feelings generated in the takeover of the Climax restoration from a volunteer group. It's interesting to read some of the posts that were made here concerning the privatization of Cass back before it occurred. A lot of gloom and doom was predicted when the operating contract went to the D&GVRR.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36484&hilit=cass+scenic

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2876

The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Restorations Department has started on another boxcar to be painted for a historic road, no hint yet of what railroad but apparently it will be boxcar red. They recently finished a gondola, originally SCL and now lettered for C&O.

nedsn3 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 17, 2020 8:34 pm

Ex- Navy boxcar?

WalterS · **Joined:** Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:19 am **Posts:** 116

Correct, ex-Navy boxcar.

The C&O Historical Society was a tremendous help with the gondola and they've provided lots of info for the next boxcar as well...

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2876

Another car completed: "The next freight car we have chosen to receive a restoration is one of the more unique we own. This 6,000 gallon bulk milk car was built by General American Transportation Co in 1947 as General American-Pfaudler GPEX 1048. After its milk hauling career ended it was sold to the Louisville & Nashville (L&N) for work train service.
Once complete, the car will be used occasionally as a water source for our locomotives and in photo charter service." https://www.facebook.com/DGVRestoration ... 2954764579
In a comment they say "the car has two 6,000 gallon tanks. It likely will be used at some point for trackside water" so I'm not sure if it holds 6k or 12k gallons.

Rob Gardner · **Joined:** Sat Aug 21, 2004 10:50 pm **Posts:** 576

Can anyone at the D&GV provide a rough average as to what each of these recent cat restorations has cost?

Rob Gardner

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2876

Two more, the WM-painted car is ex-L&N but the PRR ballast hopper is original, the PRR car was just finished:

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2876

Closeup. This was once a covered hopper but was converted by Conrail, at the same time gaining roller bearings inside plain journals:

phillman · **Joined:** Tue Jan 29, 2019 1:53 pm **Posts:** 19

Outstanding to see the restored/painted freight cars. I have loosely followed their efforts to rebuild the trackage including a bridge, but I'm curious about the process of restoring the cars. I know this type of work is not cheap. How are these projects being funded?

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2876

phillman wrote:

Outstanding to see the restored/painted freight cars. I have loosely followed their efforts to rebuild the trackage including a bridge, but I'm curious about the process of restoring the cars. I know this type of work is not cheap. How are these projects being funded?

No clue. On Facebook a few days ago, when asked "How many cars are left to paint?" they said "including cabooses, we have around 45 freight cars available to use in the future as funds permit. Approximately 20 are currently operable." https://www.facebook.com/DGVRestoration ... 2009017340

Appalachianrails · **Joined:** Wed Mar 27, 2013 4:19 pm **Posts:** 9

I would imagine most, if not all of their funding comes from their own pockets. DGVR’s excursions are not their only source of revenue. They also serve freight customers in Elkins along with a freight only operation in Staunton, VA called the Shenandoah Valley Railroad.

phillman wrote:

Outstanding to see the restored/painted freight cars. I have loosely followed their efforts to rebuild the trackage including a bridge, but I'm curious about the process of restoring the cars. I know this type of work is not cheap. How are these projects being funded?