According to the Morning Call of Allentown, PA, Mr. Andy Muller - owner of the Reading & Northern -- has purchased a share of Jim Thorpe-based shortline Carbon & Schuykil.

As a result of the new partnership, the article says the C&S will take over passenger trains out of Jim Thorpe at the end of 2004, leaving George Hart without a JT operation for the first time in, what, 30 years?

George is a true pioneer of preservation. The article knocks his operation a bit, and that's really not fair. George gave to JT long before the mountain bikers and yuppies dared go.

So, makes you wonder what he'll do with his collection....

> According to the Morning Call of Allentown,
> PA, Mr. Andy Muller - owner of the Reading
> & Northern -- has purchased a share of
> Jim Thorpe-based shortline Carbon &
> Schuykil.

> As a result of the new partnership, the
> article says the C&S will take over
> passenger trains out of Jim Thorpe at the
> end of 2004, leaving George Hart without a
> JT operation for the first time in, what, 30
> years?

> George is a true pioneer of preservation.
> The article knocks his operation a bit, and
> that's really not fair. George gave to JT
> long before the mountain bikers and yuppies
> dared go.

> So, makes you wonder what he'll do with his
> collection....

Although George Hart is something of a controversial figure, this is a good thing he is doing...

The best thing any preservationist/tourist operator can do is "momento mori" and provide for the smooth passage of the baton at the end of their leg of the race. Hart is doing that-we've all read stories about the disposition issues that arise when one's own mortality isn't considered.

The days of shoe-string operations are long gone, and the R&N has the facilities to give the equipment the TLC it needs.

Now if I could just see F-Units and steam at Penobscot!!!!

Hey aren't aren't there a few F-3's down at Mauch Chunk?



superheater@rrmail.com

Link to article below.

Allentown Morning Call article on C&S/Jim Thorpe
LNER4472-NOSPAM-@bcpl.net

That is bittersweet news...

Mr. Hart was a true pioneer in railroad preservation and not just in the pure railfan sense. He also was one of the first people to put that town on the map as a tourist destination. However nature abhors a vacuum, and thatÂ’s what the Jim Thorpe operation was becoming, whatever the reasons may have been.

I've always thought the operation in Jim Thorpe was, how shall I say, a few steps away from greatness. ItÂ’s a true tourist mecca, with superb scenery, nice track and a beautiful station. However, the cars always seemed to need paint and not counting the replica CNJ F3's, the motive power often looked like the dog's breakfast (often a half painted Conrail unit). When the Stewartstown switcher showed up it was a marked improvement in aesthetics. Believe me people notice these things... The tourist railroad business has much tougher competition for the family dollar than even ten years ago. Its imperative that the equipment LOOKS as good as it runs and have the creature comforts.

I think some new blood, perhaps with some nice cars and even a pre-fab ticket shack would do well there. If a steam locomotive were to be brought into the picture on a reliable basis, this could turn out to be one of the premier East Coast steam destinations. While steam has all the issues we know to well, a live engine will bring out more people, just ask the folks over at the M&H how their last summer compared after the 91 returned. The 1098 is still the perfect engine for operation to operate out of old Maugh Chunk, but even a nice diesel would be well received.

My thoughts...

Dave Crosby


bing@epix.net

Some where in a desk drawer I have set of calipers which were given to me on a Saturday, either the last weekend in September or the first in October of 1966. I'm certain of the time frame because it was in the final weeks of the Reading using locomotive and coach sets on the branches. The coaches would shortly be hauled into the city on a Monday morning and replaced with an RDC shuttle between Newtown and Fox Chase.

I was an inmate, oops I mean boarding student, at the George School at the time and I spent those weekends of Indian Summer prowling around the school station, the Neshamny trestle, and walking the track all the way to the wye in the thriving metropolis of Newtown.

On that particular Saturday there was a gentleman in one of the coaches very carefully measuring the details of handrails, brake lever, door handles, and and so forth. He was kind enough, after giving me a couple of quarters and asking me to find a Coke Machine, to spend much of the afternoon explaining much of the detail of the how and why of the various systems on the car. It was my frst lesson in brake systems and draft gear and my intoduction to preservation. I learned more about the Reading's history,the Newtown branch in particular, and rail operations in general than any of my teachers would have believed my brain could absorb. I was fascinated by the calipers he was using. I had never seen a set before. When he left he showed how to use them and gave them to me.

The gentleman was of course George Hart. I found out later that he was affiliated with the school, had run rail excursions on the school's behalf, and was legendary among the older stdents and faculty for having caused a near riot one day by playing a recording of a Ramble over the school's PA System.

I will certainly honor Mr. Hart's pass if he turns up on my railroad.

MEA

ptrmgtsvc@juno.com

It is very sad to see the Rail Tours era come to an end. George Hart's excursions started in 1960 when he began running day-long excursions over the RDG with RDG crews and equipment. RTI was incorporated in 1962, with the intent of purchasing the RDG's New Hope branch to run steam excursions. When that did not materialize he went to the Maryland & Pennsylvania and ran there from 1964 until 1967, with a final excursion in 1969. He also leased his CPR G5 Pacifics to High Iron in the late 60s. In October 1971 George moved his operation to Jim Thorpe when he was invited by CNJ Chunk Yardmaster Francis Dougherty to run on the Hometown branch, and has been there ever since.

It is ironic that Rail Tours and the Stewartstown RR, where Hart serves as President of both, are coming to an end at roughly the same time. BTW, the Morning Call article is in error on GMH's age; he is 85 (born February 12, 1919).

> According to the Morning Call of Allentown,
> PA, Mr. Andy Muller - owner of the Reading
> & Northern -- has purchased a share of
> Jim Thorpe-based shortline Carbon &
> Schuykil.

> As a result of the new partnership, the
> article says the C&S will take over
> passenger trains out of Jim Thorpe at the
> end of 2004, leaving George Hart without a
> JT operation for the first time in, what, 30
> years?

> George is a true pioneer of preservation.
> The article knocks his operation a bit, and
> that's really not fair. George gave to JT
> long before the mountain bikers and yuppies
> dared go.

> So, makes you wonder what he'll do with his
> collection....

It is with great sadness that I hear George Harts operations are soon coming to an end. Through thick and thin he has managed to keep the railroading experience obtainable to the general public for over 40 years.
How soon we forget what a great time we had on his excursions. Sure Mr. Harts equipment maybe a little rusty or rundown but at least it runs "every weekend" rain or shine. And it was affordable to people how wanted a train ride and see some fantastic scenery. From some one that rode on the back of a tank car in a monsoon I will take his open cars anyday. Remember he was doing preservation and excursions long before anyone else was. Hats off to you Mr. Hart I will miss you.
As for Mr. Muller remember he had a purple sighn on one of his railroad bridges on " the road to nowhere" now RT.222. "Rail Service for Berks County" when I pass the passenger station at Temple I see passengers waiting for a train that never came. We will see what Mr. Muller provides for Carbon County. Hopefully not empty promises.

memnon11075@earthlink.net

Here's an all-time equipment roster of Rail Tours I've compiled, 1962-2001; sorry its so jumbled in email format, but here 'tis:

Rail Tours, Inc. All-Time Equipment Roster (c.1962-2001) George M. Hart, Jim Thorpe, Pa.
STEAM & DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES

Road # Type Builder Built C/N Cylinders Drivers Eng Wt.
10 Diesel-Electric General Electric 8/1946 28503 44T
Ex-Coudersport & Port Allegany, Wellsville, Addison & Galeton #D-1, Acquired in 1972. Leased to Lykens Valley Railroad, 1972-1983. Used at Jim Thorpe, Pa., 1983-1985. In use at the Stewartstown Railroad, Stewartstown, Pa.

11 Diesel-Electric Electro-Motive Corp. 9/1937 654 100T
EMC model SCm/SW 900. Ex-Steelton & Highspire #23, Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England #206, Maryland & Pennsylvania #83, Stewartstown Railroad #11; purchased for use on the SRR in 1986 by G.M. Hart. Arrived in Jim Thorpe, Pa. in 1997. Operational; oldest diesel-electric locomotive in FRA service in U.S.

13 0-6-0T H.K. Porter Co. 4/1919 6369 18x24 40” 128,000
Built for United States Navy at New York, NY. Sold [date unknown] to Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal #13 at New York. Sold [1963?] to Rail Tours, Inc. Stored at Northeastern Lumber Co., Reading, Pa. Transferred to Strasburg, Pa. in 1968[?]. Sold to Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission in January 1977. On exhibit at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg, Pa. Oil-fired, steam brakes. Never operated by Rail Tours.

14 0-6-0T H.K. Porter Co. 8/1920 6260 18x24 44”
Built for Mesta Machine Co. #5 at West Homestead, Pa. Sold January 1932 to Birmingham Rail & Locomotive Co. (dealer). Sold February 1935 to Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal (Havemeyer and Elder) #14 at New York, NY. Engine received new firebox at CNJ Elizabethport Shops on 1/27/1954. Retired October 1963. Sold February 5, 1964 to Rail Tours, Inc. Stored at Northeastern Lumber Co., Reading, Pa.; Arrived on M&P 8/28/1964. Fired up for service on the Maryland & Pennsylvania RR on September 10, 1964 and used until October 1964 (Sold? Or Lease: 4/1967 to [?] to Black River & Western Corp., Ringoes, NJ., c/o Nelson Tower, Jr., Flemington, NJ) Moved off M&P 3/22/1967. Sold June 1989 to John D. Sayer, Pennington, NJ. Sold 1995[?] to [?], Arkville, NY. Oil-fired, 52T.

972 4-6-0 Montreal Locomotive Works, Ltd. 9/1912 51106 21x28 63” 205,000
Built for Canadian Pacific Railway #972 as class D10j. Flues removed 2/15/1957, with 18,000 miles claimed through 6/8/1966. Standby service2/1959 until 1960 when it was retired and stored at CPR Weston Shops. Sold December 31, 1965 to Rail Tours, Inc. Arrived M&P May 10, 1966. Entered M&P service July 3, 1966. Last used in regular RTI/Ma & Pa service on May 23, 1967 and to Peach Bottom, Pa., on November 23, 1969. Moved off M&P 9/1/1971. Operated by RTI, Jim Thorpe, Pa., 10/1971-12/1986. Transferred to Strasburg, Pa. for repairs in 12/1986. Sold December 1995 to Strasburg Rail Road Co., Strasburg, Pa. Currently out of service, undergoing rebuilding.

1098 4-6-0 Canadian Locomotive Company 10/1913 1134 21x28 63” 205,000
Built by Canadian Locomotive Co., Kingston, Ontario for Canadian Pacific Railway #1098 as class D10h. Rebuilt in CPRÂ’s West Toronto Shops in 1957; engine ran intermittently until retired around 1959 and placed in stationary boiler service in 1960. Purchased 12/1961 by F. Nelson Blount, North Walpole, New Hampshire; moved in 1966 to Bellows Falls, Vermont. Donated in 1967 to the Steamtown Foundation at Bellows Falls, VT. Transferred to Scranton, Pa., in 12/1985. Sold 9/1987 to George M. Hart, Rail Tours, Inc. Engine returned to service on 9/25/1994 and only ran three weekends in 10/1994 before being placed out-of-service. Repairs were performed and engine was test-fired in 10/1996 and again in 10-11/1998. Currently stored serviceable in Jim Thorpe, Pa.

1251 0-6-0T P&R Reading Shops 9/1918 2306 20x24 50” 120,000
Built as Philadelphia & Reading class B4-a shop switcher #1251, Reading, Pa. Retired February 8, 1963. Built on the frame of a Reading class I-2. Sold to Rail Tours, Inc. on July 3, 1964. Arrived with coach #1504 in York on November 10 or 19, 1964. Last operated in RTI service 10/1966. Transferred to Strasburg, Pa. with coach #1341 on 5/27/1968. Sold May 15, 1968 [?] to Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, Strasburg, Pa. Currently on exhibit at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg.

1238 4-6-2 Montreal Locomotive Works, Ltd. 6/1946 74898 20x28 70” 230,000
Built for the Canadian Pacific Railway as class G-5c. Last ran under steam December 1957. Mileage since flues removed in 2/1957: 23,058 miles. Inspected by Ben Kantner at Weston Shops, Winnipeg on October 1, 1963. Sold April 24, 1964 to Rail Tours, Inc. for $5,000 at York, Pa. Arrived M&P 11/30/1964. Entered service Friday, August 19, 1967 on deadhead trip to Bethlehem, Pa., but never ran in RTI/M&P excursions; stored on Careva siding; leased 1967-1968 with 1286 to High Iron Co. for main line excursions. Sold August 30, 1968 to Red Clay Valley Equipment & Leasing Corp., Wilmington, DE. Sold in 1973 to Jack Showalter, Allegany Central Scenic Railway, Covington, Va.; in 1988 to Cumberland, MD; in 1993 to Stanton, W.Va. Tender capacity: 14 tons coal, 9600 gal. water.

1286 4-6-2 Montreal Locomotive Works, Ltd. 5/1948 2443 20x28 70” 234,000
Built for the Canadian Pacific Railway as class G-5d. Engine out of service February 14, 1958 (5800 miles on flues since removal). Inspected by Ben Kantner at Weston Shops, Winnipeg on October 1, 1963. Sold April 24, 1964 to Rail Tours, Inc. for $5,000 at York, Pa. Shipped with 1238 via CPR Hamilton to NYC Buffalo (via Niagara Falls) to PRR Williamsport to M&P York on November 27, 1964. Arrived M&P 11/30/1964. Entered service on RTI/M&P April 18, 1965; leased to High Iron Co., c/o CNJRR, moved off M&P 8/11/1967, last used February 10, 1968. Sold August 30, 1968 to Red Clay Valley Equipment & Leasing Corp., at Wilmington, DE. Moved off M&P with 1238 on August 31, 1968. Sold in 1973 to Jack Showalter, Allegany Central Scenic Railway, Covington, Va.; in 1988 to Cumberland, MD; in 1993 to Stanton, W.Va. Tender capacity: 14 tons coal, 9600 gal. water.

ROLLING STOCK – PASSENGER AND FREIGHT EQUIPMENT

No. Type Builder/Date Dimensions
1 Open Observation Coach Standard Steel Car Co., Hammond, IN, February 18, 1925 72’5”
Named “Glen Onoko.” Summer car. Originally Reading Company class CVL combine No. 424, 106,800 lbs, original cost $19,768.55. Converted September 11, 1953 to class BAa baggage-express 1755; purchased by RTI for $3759.00 on November 2, 1963;. Shipped from Reading Company’s St. Clair Dismantling Plant to New Hope, May 29, 1964; to Northeastern Lumber Co. siding on February 23, 1965; Reading to York, July 8, 1965. Conversion to open car Delta #1 begun in early 1965 but work halted due to purchase of CPR #597; rebuilt from 1700-series baggage by Strasburg Rail Road for RTI on December 24, 1975. Leased as Chessie Steam Special car #19 in 1978. 50,000 lbs. Weight. Currently in-service.

8 Auxiliary tender P&R Shops, December 30, 1915 [car length?]
Originally Philadelphia & Reading 8,000 gal. capacity “camelback” steam locomotive tender. Was assigned at one time to Reading class I-8sd No. 1617, a 2-8-0 Camelback. On November 20, 1943, it was converted to 10,000 gallon tank for auxiliary water use behind I-10sa consolidations and renumbered No. 8047. On May 29, 1953 it was converted to a water car No. 90811 for the St. Clair wrecker, a 150-ton Bucyrus steam crane No. 90900 on the RDG’s St. Clair wreck train. Purchased by RTI on November 11, 1963 for $630.00. Shipped from Reading engine house to Buckingham Coal and Feed siding, Buckingham, Pa. on March 9, 1964; transferred to Northeastern Lumber Co. siding, Reading, Pa., April 2, 1965; to York May 7, 1965. Ex-RTI #40. Leased to Steam Tours, Inc., Pittsburgh, 1976; leased to Mid-West Railway Historical Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, 1977. Currently in use as auxiliary tender for No. 1098.

25 Wooden coach Harlan & Hollingsworth, c.1906 72Â’
Ex-Philadelphia & Reading wood day coach No. 1016; converted to maintenance-of-way bunk car use (equipped with kitchen, bunks, office and lounging section and battery lighting system) on the RDGÂ’s St. Clair and Shamokin wreck train as car #90874. Purchased by Rail Tours for $840.00 on November 19, 1963. Stored in 1963 on private siding of Northeast Lumber Co., Reading. Pa.; placed on Buckingham Coal & Lumber Co. private siding on New Hope Branch, Reading Company, at Buckingham, Pa, March 9, 1964; sent to M&P, York, Pa.; transferred to Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg, Pa., 11/1972 [?]. Resided by Strasburg RR and shipped to Jim Thorpe, Pa., March 24, 1976. Damaged by fire in March 1977. Used for storage. Car painted maroon.

26 Wooden coach Harlan & Hollingsworth, c.1910 72Â’
Ex-Philadelphia & Reading 1000-series wood day coach; [No. 1019?] converted to maintenance-of-way wreckmaster’s bunk car (or rider car) for use on Erie Avenue (Philadelphia) wreck train as car #90882 class PAMX in September 1929. Retired January 1965. Purchased by Rail Tours for $1050.00 on January 23, 1965. Shipped from Philadelphia to Doylestown, Pa., 3/1965; to F.D. Hartzel’s Feed and Coal, Chalfont, Pa., May 1965. To Dushore, Pa., Lehigh Valley RR State Line & Sullivan branch in June 1971. Currently used as the “Depot Antiques” store in Dushore, Sullivan County, Pa. Car is painted maroon [and is co-owned with Dr. Tom Shoemaker of Dushore, Pa.?]

27 Wooden coach Harlan & Hollingsworth, c.1910 72Â’
Ex-Philadelphia & Reading wood day coach No.1023; converted to maintenance-of-way bunk car (rider car) class PAMX for use on the RDGÂ’s Rutherford wreck train as car #93119. Purchased by RTI on January 23, 1965. Stored on New Hope Branch, Reading Company, at Buckingham, Pa., Transferred to M&P, York, Pa. on 2/28/1966; transferred to Jim Thorpe, Pa., 1971. Was used as the RTI office. Painted dark green.

51 Baggage-express Standard Steel Car Co., Hammond, IN, February 18, 1925 72’5”
Originally Reading Company class CVl steel baggage-coach No. 425. Converted on October 20, 1953 by RDG into baggage-express configuration as class BAa No. 1756. Purchased by RTI (with No. 1755) for $3759.00 at St. Clair, Pa., on November 2, 1963. Shipped from St. Clair to New Hope, Pa., May 29, 1964; to York, 1967. Ex-RTI #2. Used as tool car for No. 1098 in Jim Thorpe, Pa. Ex-RTI #2. Weight: 70 tons.

52 Wooden baggage [builder?], c.1900-1905 [car length?]
Former Philadelphia & Reading Company wooden baggage car No. [?]. Used on St. Clair wreck train as tool car #90886. Purchased by RTI for $945.00 on November 13, 1963. Shipped to Northeastern Lumber Co. siding, Reading, Pa., September 25, 1964; to York on 8/28/1964. Shipped from York to Strasburg RR July 1975. Rebuilt by Strasburg Rail Road for RTI in summer 1975. Ex-RTI #31. Renumbered RTI #52 in March 1976. Stored in Jim Thorpe, Pa.

137 Flat car [builder?] [date built?] [car length?]
Former Central Railroad of New Jersey and Conrail. Purchased by RTI March 7, 1978. Delivered to Jim Thorpe March 1980.

515 Coach-baggage Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, June 1919 72’2”
Reading Company class CVj 51-seat combination car No. 515. Original cost new $ 14,537.94. Retired by Reading Co. in July 1963. Purchased by RTI for $1250.00 on May 21, 1964 and renumbered RTI #5 in October 1972. Purchased without seats. Shipped from St. Clair, Pa. to New Hope to York, September 1, 1964. Leased to Red Clay Valley Equipment & Leasing, Wilmington, DE , and moved off M&P 1/15/1969; returned to RTI in 1971[?] at Jim Thorpe, Pa. Currently in use.

519 Coach-baggage Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, June 1919 72’2”
Reading Company class CVj 50-seat Reading combination car No. 519. Original cost new $14,537.94. Ex-51 seat Reading combine 519. Retired by Reading Co., July 1963. Purchased by RTI for $1250.00 on May 21, 1964. Stored at St. Clair, Pa. Shipped to York September 8, 1964. Leased to High Iron Co., May-July 1973. Leased to Red Clay Valley Equipment & Leasing, Wilmington, DE , and moved off M&P 1/15/1969. Ex-RTI #6. Sold to Delaware & Hudson Railway March 1974. Leased 1977 Chessie Steam Special #2. [current location?]

597 Mountain Observation CPR Angus Shops, 1914 81Â’
Former Canadian Pacific “Rocky Mountain” 96-seat open observation car No. 597. Rebuilt from 76-seat CPR coach #1422. Rebuilt in 1956. Purchased by RTI on April 6, 1965 from the West Coast Railway Association, Arbutus Ridge, and stored at CPR Ogden Shops, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Arrived York June 6, 1965. Used during RTI days on Maryland & Pennsylvania Railway, York, Pa. Leased to High Iron Co., moved off M&P 5/29/1967. Sold for $7500 on November 6, 1968 to the High Iron Co., Lebanon, NJ, Rocky Mountain. Sold 1972 to Mt. Rainier Scenic Railway, Elbe, WA; in 1973 to Sierra Railroad, Jamestown, CA. Gift 8/1982 to State of California, Railtown 1897, Jamestown, CA. Car has been modified to provide bar and toilet facilities.

671 Tunnel car L&NE Shops, c.1908 7’0”
Used as tunnel repair and maintenance car #671 by Lehigh & New England at the Lansford side of Hauto Tunnel. May have also been numbered L&NE #581. Purchased by RTI on March 12, 1973 for $300.00. Shipped from Arlington, Pa., to Jim Thorpe on July 28, 1973. Frame, undercarriage and wheels sold in 1983 to John A. Gummo of Beech Creek, Pa., and placed underneath ex-Lehigh Valley “bobber” caboose 2606. Caboose donated to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in 1997. Tunnel car was of wooden construction and weighed 8 tons, 16,000 lbs.

774 Steel coach Bethlehem Steel Corp., September 28, 1923 72’5”
Former Reading Company class ETf multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer 88-seat passenger coach No. 774; rebuilt June 1949 from 84-seat steel coach class PBn No. 1276. Purchased March 1976 for $2,500.00 by RTI, Jim Thorpe, Pa. Leased 1977 to Steam Tours, Inc., Akron, OH. Currently in service. 110,320 lbs.

777 Steel coach Bethlehem Steel Corp., October 9, 1923 72’5”
Former Reading Company class ETf multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer 88-seat passenger coach No. 777; rebuilt May 1950 from 84-seat steel coach class PBn No. 1281. Purchased March 1976 for $2,400.00 by James F. Hicks, RTI, Jim Thorpe, Pa. Leased 1977 to Steam Tours, Inc., Akron, OH Currently in service.110,320 lbs.

783 Steel coach Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., January 23, 1925 72’5”
Former Reading Company class EPt multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer passenger coach No. 783; rebuilt May 1932 to Ete from Reading steel coach class PBn 1163. Later rebuilt 1943 to Ept. Purchased March 1976 for $2,500.00 by RTI, Jim Thorpe, Pa. Leased 1977 to Steam Tours, Inc. Currently in service on the Stewartstown Railroad, Stewartstown, Pa. 112,500 lbs.

787 Steel coach Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, February 3, 1925 72’5”
Former Reading Company class EPt multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer 84-seat passenger coach No. 787; rebuilt May 1932 from 84-seat steel coach class PBn No. 1167; later rebuilt 1943 to Ete. Purchased March 1976 for $2,400.00 by James F. Hicks, RTI, Jim Thorpe, Pa. Leased 1977 to Steam Tours, Inc., Akron, OH. Currently in service. 112,500 lbs.

1158 Steel coach Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, January 1925 72’5”
Former Reading Company class PBn commuter coach No. 1158. Cost new: $20,571.69. Purchased for $1,500.00 on September 30, 1965 by Rail Tours, Inc.; shipped from St. Clair to York, Pa., arriving York on December 23, 1965. Leased to Strasburg RR and moved off M&P 5/27/1968 and on 11/8/1968; returned to RTI in 1971[?]. Leased 1977 to Midwest Railway Historical Foundation, Akron, OH. Leased to Lackawaxen & Stourbridge Railroad, Honesdale, Pa., in 1980-81. Ex-RTI #13. Currently in service on the Stewartstown Railroad, Stewartstown, Pa. Car is 70 tons.

1300 Steel coach Pullman-Standard, 1930 72’5”
Former Central Railroad of New Jersey commuter coach No. 1300. Purchased by RTI in 1984 from New Jersey Transit. Out of service.

1303 Steel coach Pullman-Standard, 1930 72’5”
Former Central Railroad of New Jersey commuter coach No. 1303. Purchased by RTI in 1984 from New Jersey Transit. Currently in service on the Stewartstown Railroad, Stewartstown, Pa.

1307 Steel coach Pullman-Standard], 1930 72’5”
Former Central Railroad of New Jersey steel 76-seat commuter coach No. 1307. Purchased by RTI from New Jersey Transit in 1984.

1309 Steel coach Pullman-Standard, 1930 72’5”
Former Central Railroad of New Jersey steel 76-seat commuter coach No. 1309. Purchased by RTI from New Jersey Transit in 1984.

1316 Steel coach Pullman-Standard, 1930 72’5”
Former Central Railroad of New Jersey steel 76-seat commuter coach No. 1316. Purchased by RTI from New Jersey Transit in 1984.

1341 Steel coach Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, May 27, 1922 72’5”
Former Reading Company class PBm 76-seat commuter coach No. 1341. Cost new: $18,723.19. Purchased for $1,500.00 by RTI on September 30, 1965 by Rail Tours, Inc. Shipped from St. Clair to York, Pa., arriving in York on December 23, 1965. Leased to Strasburg RR 5/27/1968-11/8/1968; moved from M&P to Strasburg 11/8/1968; returned to RTI in 1971[?].Ex-RTI #12. Leased 1977 to Steam Tours. In service on the Stewartstown Railroad, Stewartstown, Pa.

1461 Steel coach Harlan & Hollingsworth, July 1914 72’5”
Former Reading Company class PBh 72-seat steel passenger coach No. 1461. Purchased by RTI on May 21, 1964 and renumbered RTI #10. Shipped from Reading to New Hope July 10, 1964; to York on September 1, 1964. Shipped from York to Strasburg (PHMC storage) 11/8/1968. Leased to South Pennsylvania Historical Railway Museum, Everett, Pa., for use on Everett Railroad, Mount Dallas, Pa., August 1969-1970. Formerly stored in Bedford, Pa.; now in MannÂ’s Choice, Pa. In derelict condition.

1504 Steel coach Pullman Company, June 1915 72’5”
Former Reading Company class PBk 72-seat coach #1504; Cost new: $11,430.22. Purchased by RTI on May 21, 1964 (with combines 515, 519 and coach 1461) for $1500. Shipped from with Locomotive #1251 from Reading, Pa., to York, November 19, 1964. Ex-Rail Tours #11. moved off M&P 11/8/1968 to Strasburg, Pa; returned to RTI in 1971?]. Sold to Delaware & Hudson Railway, March 1974. Leased 1978 Chessie Steam Special #3. [current location?]

1543 Steel coach Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, May 6, 1927 72’5”
Former Reading Company class PBr 54-reclining-seat steel passenger coach No.1543. Cost new: $23,554.75. Purchased by RTI for $2050.00 on January 23, 1965. Shipped from St. Clair to York March 12, 1965. Leased to Red Clay Valley Equipment & Leasing Corp., Wilmington, DE and moved off M&P 1/15/1969; re-purchased by RTI in 1971. Ex-RTI #14. Leased 1977 to Steam Tours. In service.

1549 Steel coach Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, May 13, 1927 72’5”
Former Reading Company class PBr 54-reclining-seat coach No. 1549. Cost new: $23,554.75. Purchased by RTI for $2050 on January 23, 1965. Stored in St. Clair, and arrived in York, Pa., March 12, 1965. Leased to Red Clay Valley Equipment & Leasing, Wilmington, DE , and moved off M&P 1/15/1969. Returned to RTI in 1971[?]. Ex-RTI #15. Sold to the Delaware & Hudson Railway, March 1974. Leased 1977 Chessie Steam Special #4. [Current location?].

1587 Milk Car Philadelphia & Reading, October 1910 54’4”
Former Philadelphia and Reading milk tank class BRf (Nos. 1587, 1588, 1589); one of three built for P&R New York Division. Steel underframe, wood car body, equalized trucks; Capacity 2322 cu. ft.; 40,000 lbs., ice tanks 151.6 cu. ft. No. 1587 converted to class BRfx No. 97019 on December 28, 1951, becoming an ice storage car for Huntingdon Street Passenger Yard in Philadelphia; retired September 1963. Purchased by RTI for $1050.00 on September 20, 1963; delivered to Buckingham Coal & Feed Co. private siding, Buckingham, Pa., on November 11, 1963. Collapsed from severe water damage in late 1960Â’s. Frame and trucks salvaged and stored in Jim Thorpe, Pa. First piece of equipment acquired by RTI. Ex-RTI #35. Was the last P&R milk car in existence.

9101 Steel coach Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, 193[?] 73’0”
Former Reading Company [?]-seat steel passenger coach converted to multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer No. [?]; ex-Reading No. [?] (“Blueliner”); ex-Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) No. 9101, Philadelphia, Pa. Purchased by RTI in 1993. In service.

9102 Steel coach Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, 193[?] 73’0”
Former Reading Company [?]-seat steel passenger coach converted to multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer No. [?]; ex-Reading No. [?] (“Blueliner”); ex-Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) No. 9102, Philadelphia, Pa. Purchased by RTI in 1993. In service.

9105 Steel coach Bethlehem Steel Corp., June 26, 1931 73’0”
Former Reading Company 80-seat class ECa multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer No. 306; rebuilt December 1964 to No. 9105 (“Blueliner”); ex-Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) No. 9105, Philadelphia, Pa. Purchased by RTI in 1993. In service.

9107 Steel coach Bethlehem Steel Corp., December 30, 1932 73’0”
Former Reading Company 80-seat class EPb multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer No. 874; rebuilt January 1965 to No. 9107 (“Blueliner”); ex-Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) No. 9107, Philadelphia, Pa. Purchased by RTI in 1993. In service.

9108 Steel coach Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, December 30, 1932 73’0”
Former Reading Company 80-seat class EPb multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer No. 875; rebuilt February 1965 to No. 9108 (“Blueliner”); ex-Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) No. 9108, Philadelphia, Pa. Purchased by RTI in 1993. In service.

9110 Steel coach Bethlehem Steel Corp., May 16, 1931 73’0”
Former Reading Company 86-seat class EPa multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer No. 839;rebuilt September 1964 to No. 9110 (“Blueliner”); ex-Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) No. 9110, Philadelphia, Pa. Purchased by RTI in 1993. Was the last car on the last train to depart from Reading Terminal, Philadelphia, on November 6, 1984. In service.

9117 Steel coach Bethlehem Steel Corp., May 16, 1931 73’0”
Former Reading Company 86-seat multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer class EPa No. 840; rebuilt April 1965 to No. 9117 (“Blueliner”); ex-Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) No. 9117, Philadelphia, Pa. Purchased by RTI in 1993. In service.

9120 Steel coach Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, 193[?] 73’0”
Former Reading Company [?]-seat steel passenger coach converted to multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer No. [?]; ex-Reading No. [?] (“Blueliner”); ex-Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) No. 9120, Philadelphia, Pa. Purchased by RTI in 1993. In service.

12260 Wood boxcar P&R Shops, October 1910 30Â’
Former Philadelphia & Reading class XMpx wooden boxcar. Later converted to use as a power car, having a generator inside for use during emergency power outages across the Reading system. May have been assigned to RDGÂ’s St. Clair wreck train as a tool car. Purchased by RTI on October 10, 1963 for $525.00. Arrived at Northeastern Lumber Co., Reading, Pa., November 11, 1963. Arrived at Buckingham, Pa., December 6, 1963. Ex-RTI #30. Partially destroyed by arson due to vandalism in 1994. Stored in derelict condition on the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad in Grenoble, Pa. Car weight: 60,100 lbs.

23514 Steel boxcar [builder?], [date built?] 40Â’
Former Central Railroad of New Jersey and Conrail. Acquired by RTI March 7, 1978. Delivered to Jim Thorpe April 1978.

27043 Pullman heavyweight Pullman, September 1929 [car length?]
Former Pullman Traffic Club. Constructed in Pullman lot # 6274 to Plan #3989A, 8-section, buffet-lounge-sleeper car. Sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad in 12/1948 as #7008. Car withdrawn by Pullman lease and stored in September 1957. Assigned to M-O-W service by PRR, interior fixtures stripped and car painted yellow, number #492388 assigned in June 1959. Ownership transferred to Penn Central as #27043 on February 1, 1968, and to Conrail April 1, 1976. Purchased by RTI in March 1977 for $3150.00. Transferred from Hollidaysburg to Jim Thorpe 1977. Stored in Jim Thorpe, Pa.

89545 Gondola [builder?], [date built?] [car length?]
Former Central Railroad of New Jersey and Conrail. Was stored at Hollidaysburg, Pa. Purchased by RTI March 7, 1978. Arrived Jim Thorpe August 1980.

90939 Tank car [P&R?], 1906[?] [car length?]
Former 6000-gallon Reading Company tank car [class?] No. 90939. Purchased by RTI for $3000.00 on May 21, 1964. Shipped from St. Clair, Pa., to New Hope, Pa., June 19, 1964. Ex-RTI #45. Tank sold to farmer in Buckingham Township, Pa. [where was car located in 1970Â’s-1980Â’s?] Car (sans tank) transferred 1985 to Stewartstown Railroad, Stewartstown, York County, Pa. Used as a flat car in maintenance-of-way service.45,700 lbs.

90973 Tank car [P&R?], 1906[?] [car length?]
Former 6000-gallon Reading Company tank car No. 90973. Purchased by RTI for $3000.00 on May 21, 1964. Shipped from St. Clair, Pa., to New Hope, Pa., June 19, 1964. Ex-RTI #46. Sold to Strasburg Rail Road for $1212.00 in December 1971; shipped to Strasburg, Pa., on May 24, 1974. 46,400 lbs.

91343 Wood caboose [builder?], [date built?] [car length?]
Former Central Railroad of New Jersey. Composite wood-steel caboose. Purchased February 9, 1978 by RTI from Morristown and Erie Railway, Morristown, NJ. Used as RTI office.

92939 Wood caboose Reading Shops, September 30, 1942 34’11 ½”
Former Reading Company class Nmn (composite car) wooden caboose No. 92939. Purchased by RTI on January 20, 1964 and renumbered No. 20. Shipped from York to storage at F.D. HartzelÂ’s and Sons, Chalfont, Pa., July 1968; burned in fire caused by lightning strike while stored in coal shed, July 3, 1971. Scrapped.

92947 Wood caboose Reading Shops, October 8, 1942 34’ 11 ½” Former Reading Company class Nmn (composite car) wooden caboose No. 92947. Purchased by RTI on January 20, 1964 and renumbered 21. Shipped Reading to Buckingham, March 30, 1964; to York, September 8, 1964. Sold November 22, 1967 for $1,000 to Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad as #2007. Donated September 2000 to Maryland and Pennsylvania Preservation Society, Muddy Creek Forks, Pa.; shipped 1/27/2001 via M&P, Northern Central and Stewartstown RR #9, to Stewartstown, Pa., for trucking via road to Muddy Creek Forks.

92948 Wood caboose Reading Shops, October 9, 1942 34’ 11 ½” Former Reading Company class Nmn (composite car) wooden caboose No. 92948. Purchased by RTI on May 21, 1965 and renumbered No. 22. Stored in derelict condition, Jim Thorpe, Pa.

92973 Wood caboose Reading Shops, October 27, 1942 34’ 11 ½”
Former Reading Company class Nmn (composite car) wooden caboose No. 92973. Purchased by RTI on January 20, 1964 and renumbered No. 23. Shipped Reading to New Hope July 8, 1964; New Hope to Buckingham December 31, 1965. Stored in derelict condition, Jim Thorpe, Pa.

762908 Steel baggage [builder?], [date built?] 85Â’
Former Atlantic Coast Line Railway Express baggage car No. 1660; later renumbered Seaboard Coast Line No. 762908; intended as tool car for 1098 but instead used for sand storage. Purchased by RTI in [?] from [?]. Stored on Stewartstown RR, New Freedom, Pa. Transferred to Jim Thorpe in 1997.

Special thanks to George M. Hart, President, Treasurer and founder, Rail Tours, Inc., Jim Thorpe, Pa.; also to Brad Haines, Nigel H. Ingham, David Gerancher, John W. Hall, Brian Norden, Ross E. Rowland Jr., and Ron Goldfeder for their help in the compilation of this roster.

Note: roster does not include other privately-owned equipment in storage at Jim Thorpe, Pa. It also does not include equipment leased to Rail Tours, nor does it include equipment purchased but refunded.

Roster compiled by Kurt R. Bell, August 1, 2001 (updated 7/19/2003)

Locomotives:
               #11 - EMC model SCm/SW 900 built by the Electro-Motive Corp. 09/1937.  Ex-Steelton &
                         Highspire # 23, Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England #206, Maryland & Pennsylvania
              #83 - Stewartstown Railroad # 11.  Operational.  Oldest diesel-electric locomotive in FRA
                         service in the U.S.
          #1098 - Class D-10h (4-6-0) steam locomotive built by the Canadian Locomotive Co.,
                        Kingston, Ontario for the Canadian Pacific Railroad 11/1913.  Specifications are loaded
                        weight of engine 205,000 pounds, 200 pound boiler pressure, 63 inch drivers, 21" x 28"
                        cylinders and 33,300 pounds of tractive effort. Rebuilt in CPR's West Toronto Shops
                        07/1957.  Engine ran intermittently until retired in 1959 and placed in stationary boiler
                        service in 1960.  Purchased 12/1961 by F. Nelson Blount and moved to Bellows Falls,
                        Vermont in 1966.  Donated to Steamtown Foundation in Bellows Falls in 1967.  Sold
                        to Rail Tours, Incorporated 09/1987.  Returned to service on 09/25/1994 and currently
                        stored serviceable at Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.
          #7545 - GP-10 ex-Conrail.  Purchased by Albert P. Leudtke (?).  Stored serviceable at
                        Jim Thorpe.
          #7579 - GP-10 ex Conrail.  Purchased by Albert P. Leudtke (?)  Under lease to Rail Tours,
                        Incorporated.
          #7580 - GP-10 ex Conrail.  Purchased by Albert P. Leudtke (?)  Under lease to Rail Tours,
                        Incorporated.
              #56 - F-3A diesel-electric locomotive built by EMD in 1948.  Ex- Bangor & Aroostook #46.
                        Sold to Anthracite Railroads Historical Society 1986.  Restoration completed in 1989.
                        Painted in Jersey Central dark blue and orange colors.  Currently under lease to Rail
                        Tours, Incorporated.
              #57 - F-3A diesel-electric locomotive built by EMD in 1948.  Ex-Bangor & Aroostook #44.
                        Sold to Tri-State Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey 1986.  Leased to Anthracite
                        Railroads Historical Society 1990.  Restoration completed in 1993.  Painted in Jersey
                        Central dark blue and orange colors.  Currently under lease to Rail Tours, Incorporated.

York Southern Lines – Byron F. Andrews, Jr. (9/14/1964)

Soo Line coach 979
Soo Line coach 978
Reading coach 1424
Caboose 613
Locomotive 1

> It is very sad to see the Rail Tours era
> come to an end. George Hart's excursions
> started in 1960 when he began running
> day-long excursions over the RDG with RDG
> crews and equipment. RTI was incorporated in
> 1962, with the intent of purchasing the
> RDG's New Hope branch to run steam
> excursions. When that did not materialize he
> went to the Maryland & Pennsylvania and
> ran there from 1964 until 1967, with a final
> excursion in 1969. He also leased his CPR G5
> Pacifics to High Iron in the late 60s. In
> October 1971 George moved his operation to
> Jim Thorpe when he was invited by CNJ Chunk
> Yardmaster Francis Dougherty to run on the
> Hometown branch, and has been there ever
> since.

> It is ironic that Rail Tours and the
> Stewartstown RR, where Hart serves as
> President of both, are coming to an end at
> roughly the same time. BTW, the Morning Call
> article is in error on GMH's age; he is 85
> (born February 12, 1919).

Actually, Superheater, the article did not indicate whether George was going to turn his equipment over to Muller. I'm not sure that has been decided and the only way that would happen would be through an out and out purchase. My knowledge is that George has made out his will with equipment disposition promised to several parties, including the possibility of 1098 returning to Canada. But one can only relish the thought of 2102 pulling a string of real RDG passenger coaches and a combine! That could happen if Muller buys George's equipment, since he has some RDG cars.
> The best thing any preservationist/tourist
> operator can do is "momento mori"
> and provide for the smooth passage of the
> baton at the end of their leg of the race.
> Hart is doing that-we've all read stories
> about the disposition issues that arise when
> one's own mortality isn't considered.

> The days of shoe-string operations are long
> gone, and the R&N has the facilities to
> give the equipment the TLC it needs.

> Now if I could just see F-Units and steam at
> Penobscot!!!!

> Hey aren't aren't there a few F-3's down at
> Mauch Chunk?

K.R.

Still looking for those Chessie Steam Special Cars.

I seem to recall there was some sort of accident with a couple of the cars on the Chessie Steam Special in Northern Indiana where the Sharon Couplers were destroyed and the cars were retired in place,disposed, and/or scrapped. Do any of our other correspondants recall something similar?

Steve Zuiderveen

SZuidervee@aol.com

> Actually, Superheater, the article did not
> indicate whether George was going to turn
> his equipment over to Muller. I'm not sure
> that has been decided and the only way that
> would happen would be through an out and out
> purchase. My knowledge is that George has
> made out his will with equipment disposition
> promised to several parties, including the
> possibility of 1098 returning to Canada. But
> one can only relish the thought of 2102
> pulling a string of real RDG passenger
> coaches and a combine! That could happen if
> Muller buys George's equipment, since he has
> some RDG cars.

That is true- and apparently he didn't sell out, the other party did. I gotta remember its ready aim fire, not ready fire aim!



superheater@rrmail.com

> K.R.

> Still looking for those Chessie Steam
> Special Cars.

I recall seeing some of these (ex-RDG) cars at CASS in the 1980's...still in Chessie paint.
Where did they go after CASS ?

...and the combine car became part of a bank building in Russell Kentucky ??

xx Here's an all-time equipment roster of Rail Tours I've compiled: xx

xx 10 Diesel-Electric General Electric 8/1946 28503 44T Ex-Coudersport & Port Allegheny, Wellsville, Addison & Galeton #D-1, Acquired in 1972. Leased to Lykens Valley Railroad, 1972-1983. Used at Jim Thorpe, Pa., 1983-1985. In use at the Stewartstown Railroad, Stewartstown, Pa. xx

It was being shipped to Stewartstown when Hurricane Agnes struck the Northern Central in June, 1972. It was being stored in a ConRail enginehouse in York, Pa., still painted C&PA in the Fall of 1978, waiting for PennCentral's successor to fix the line South of there. I don't think it physically moved to Lykens Valley before then. After the Jim Thorpe interlude, the Northern Central was finally fixed and the loco completed its trip to Stewartstown.

xx ROLLING STOCK – PASSENGER AND FREIGHT EQUIPMENT xx

xx 774 Steel coach Bethlehem Steel Corp., September 28, 1923 72’5” Former Reading Company class ETf multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer 88-seat passenger coach No. 774; rebuilt June 1949 from 84-seat steel coach class PBn No. 1276.

xx 777 Steel coach Bethlehem Steel Corp., October 9, 1923 72’5” Former Reading Company class ETf multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer 88-seat passenger coach No. 777; rebuilt May 1950 from 84-seat steel coach class PBn No. 1281. xx

I think the above 2, if the conversion dates are correct, had controls, headlights, and end windows at only one end, and were to be paired with similar 4-motor power cars built by Bethlehem Shipbuilding about 1949. But I also think that the post-WWII single control trailer conversions were numbers 781 through 798.

xx 783 Steel coach Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., January 23, 1925 72’5” Former Reading Company class EPt multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer passenger coach No. 783; rebuilt May 1932 to Ete from Reading steel coach class PBn 1163. Later rebuilt 1943 to Ept.

xx 787 Steel coach Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, February 3, 1925 72’5” Former Reading Company class EPt multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer 84-seat passenger coach No. 787; rebuilt May 1932 from 84-seat steel coach class PBn No. 1167; later rebuilt 1943 to Ete. xx

The above 2 were probably further converted about 1949 with controls, headlights, and end windows at only one end, to be used with similar 4-motor power cars built by Bethlehem Shipbuilding about 1949.

xx 1587 Milk Car Philadelphia & Reading, October 1910 54’4” Former Philadelphia and Reading milk tank class BRf; retired September 1963. Purchased by RTI for $1050.00 on September 20, 1963; delivered to Buckingham Coal & Feed Co. private siding, Buckingham, Pa., on November 11, 1963. Collapsed from severe water damage in late 1960’s. Frame and trucks salvaged and stored in Jim Thorpe, Pa. First piece of equipment acquired by RTI. Ex-RTI #35. Was the last P&R milk car in existence. xx

The body was still collapsing when it was moved to the Wycombe team track about 1977. About 8/1978 the remaining wood and horsehair insulation were removed and the metal shipped by truck to Jim Thorpe.

xx 9101 Steel coach Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, 193[?] 73’0” Former Reading Company [?]-seat steel passenger coach converted to multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer No. [?]; ex-Reading No. [?] (“Blueliner”); ex-SEPTA No. 9101.

xx 9102 Steel coach [otherwise same as 9101 jb] xx

The "Blues" had the same numbers when "Reading" (the letterboard did not say Reading COMPANY) as when SEPTA.

xx 9105 Steel coach Bethlehem Steel Corp., June 26, 1931 73’0” Former Reading Company 80-seat class ECa multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer No. 306; rebuilt December 1964 to No. 9105 (“Blueliner”); ex-SEPTA No. 9105. xx

306 was in the numbering series for powered MU combines. The only combine trailer was 799, which was never converted to "Blue".

xx 9107 Steel coach Bethlehem Steel Corp., December 30, 1932 73’0” Former Reading Company 80-seat class EPb multiple-unit (m.u.) trailer No. 874; rebuilt January 1965 to No. 9107 (“Blueliner”); ex-SEPTA No. 9107.

xx 9108, 9110, 9117, 9120 [all similar information jb] xx

The 800 series were all powered MU coaches.

All of the Blueliners, 9101 through 9135, were powered cars with 2 motors, controls, and a pan.
9101 through 9105 were converted from combines of some sort. As part of the conversion, they got air conditioning, the windows were sealed, and picture windows cut in the combine end. The rest, converted from coaches of some sort, got forced air ventilation, and I think 9106 through 9110 lost their window latches, but the windows weren't sealed.

xx 12260 Wood boxcar P&R Shops, October 1910 30Â’ Former Philadelphia & Reading class XMpx wooden boxcar. Later converted to use as a power car, having a generator inside for use during emergency power outages across the Reading system. May have been assigned to RDGÂ’s St. Clair wreck train as a tool car. Purchased by RTI on October 10, 1963 for $525.00. Arrived at Northeastern Lumber Co., Reading, Pa., November 11, 1963. Arrived at Buckingham, Pa., December 6, 1963. Ex-RTI #30. Partially destroyed by arson due to vandalism in 1994. Stored in derelict condition on the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad in Grenoble, Pa. Car weight: 60,100 lbs. x

Local lore has it that Mr. Hart stored it full of collectibles like loco headlights that the local hoodlums would carry away from time to time.

xx 90939 Tank car [P&R?], 1906[?] [car length?] Former 6000-gallon Reading Company tank car [class?] No. 90939. Purchased by RTI for $3000.00 on May 21, 1964. Shipped from St. Clair, Pa., to New Hope, Pa., June 19, 1964. Ex-RTI #45. Tank sold to farmer in Buckingham Township, Pa. [where was car located in 1970Â’s-1980Â’s?] Car (sans tank) transferred 1985 to Stewartstown Railroad, Stewartstown, York County, Pa. Used as a flat car in maintenance-of-way service. 45,700 lbs. xx

Moved to the Wycombe team track about 1977. About 8/1978, shipped by truck to Stewartstown, the first car to arrive there since Hurricane Agnes!

xx 92948 Wood caboose Reading Shops, October 9, 1942 34’ 11 ½” Former Reading Company class Nmn (composite car) wooden caboose No. 92948. Purchased by RTI on May 21, 1965 and renumbered No. 22. Stored in derelict condition, Jim Thorpe, Pa.

xx 92973 Wood caboose Reading Shops, October 27, 1942 34’ 11 ½” Former Reading Company class Nmn (composite car) wooden caboose No. 92973. Purchased by RTI on January 20, 1964 and renumbered No. 23. Shipped Reading to New Hope July 8, 1964; New Hope to Buckingham December 31, 1965. Stored in derelict condition, Jim Thorpe, Pa. xx

92973 and one other, probably 92948, were moved to Hobensack's siding in Wycombe about 1977. During the winter 1977/8 they were moved to Wycombe team track then about 8/1978, shipped by truck to Jim Thorpe.

xx Roster compiled by Kurt R. Bell, August 1, 2001 (updated 7/19/2003) xx

Additions and questions by James Boylan 3/15/2004

(For some reason, arrows aren't working as quote marks, so I used xx.)

TyburnRR@cs.com

> I recall seeing some of these (ex-RDG) cars
> at CASS in the 1980's...still in Chessie
> paint.
> Where did they go after CASS ?

> ...and the combine car became part of a bank
> building in Russell Kentucky ??

Well if you look really hard you may find them up the river dead line still, I am not sure if all of these are the ones your thinking about though, check out

http://www.msrlha.org/roster.htm

Every thing you never wanted to know about the equipment at cass....


btrue@vt.edu

Now that it's only been what? 11 years since the announcement was made, what ever did become of the late George Hart's equipment? Was it absorbed by R&N or was it siphoned off to multiple operations?