Al S. – Pennsylvania Railroad N5B Cabin Car (caboose)
In August of 1989 Al S. purchased his “retired” PRR cabin car, Conrail Number CR 22879, in “as is” [it was rolled in an accident (s)] condition at Reading, PA. It was shipped under the supervision of the Superintendent of the Car Shop at Reading. At the same time, he purchased a good set of secondhand roller bearing caboose car trucks, also in “as is” condition.
In November of 2009, Al moved his caboose from near his home in New Freedom, York County, PA to Wellsboro Junction where it joined Conrail caboose CR 23132 and Chesapeake & Ohio caboose C&O 903647. All three are now an integral part of the Wellsboro & Corning RR and Tioga Central RR complex, which utilizes former New York Central, Pennsylvania Division trackage and is located three miles north of Wellsboro in Tioga County, PA.
PRR Cabin Car Before
This photo shows Al, complete with acetylene torch in hand, standing inside of the caboose to show that the floor didn’t exist along the sides. The cupboards were disconnected from the floor and rusted from any floor connection. The side sill beam was intact but was not straight. It was replaced with a new beam. Instead of re-patching the side sheets, they were replaced with full sheets.
PRR Cabin Car After
The year is 2007 and shows the car after many months of hard labor, all reassembled and painted in PRR livery, sitting near the train station at New Freedom, PA. It now carries its original PRR number of 477707.
PRR Cabin Car All Ready For Guests
A photo of the inside of the caboose complete with oak flooring and a carpet runner. It’s still sitting at New Freedom at this time.
Number 477707 Arrives at Wellsboro Junction
In November of 2009 Al’s cabin car is being unloaded at Wellsboro Junction.
Number 477707 Coupled and Ready to Go
Al’s cabin car is coupled to Tioga Central Number 62 & 506 and is ready to make a trial run on its new home trackage.