VICTORY FOR THE CONRAIL HISTORICAL SOCIETY!

[GonzoCRFan]

Today marked the glorious end to a saga that began a week ago, but had beginnings several years ago.

Early this afternoon, Conrail caboose #21165 rolled off a rail-equipped low-boy flatbed trailer and onto its new home, the Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad. They have graciously offered to store our caboose for $1 a year, with the provision they are allowed to operate it in their tourist trains. This agreement will allow it to generate revenue for both the M&H and the CRHS, and will hopefully be a great partnership.

Last weekend, a group of CRHS members braved a nor'easter to go up to Long Island to prep the caboose for the move. They spent Saturday and Sunday clearing brush, strapping the wheelsets into the trucks, and washing the exposed side. Monday morning, the fine folks at Long Island Crane and Rigging showed up and their crew spent the only lull in the storm lifting the crane onto a trailer owned by Jim Lilly, a man who specializes in moving rail equipment by truck.

Due to a problem with the overweight/oversize permits for NYC, the caboose sat on the trailer for a week until it was finally given clearance to move through the city between 5 and 6 this morning. It was in Middletown shortly before 2 PM and the crew took their time unloading it. I was able to escape from work early and meet up with the group from the CRHS at the Amtrak interchange track in Middletown to enjoy a short ride back to the M&H's small yard.

21165 backs off the interchange and pauses for a photo op:
http://sean121982.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=724547

http://sean121982.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=724549

http://sean121982.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=724550

M&H 1016 was in charge of this special little excursion:
http://sean121982.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=724576

President Klemick christens the car after the ride:
http://sean121982.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=724599

A bunch more pics can be seen here:
http://sean121982.rrpicturearchives.net/archiveThumbs.aspx?id=21799

[wm3798]

Congratulations!  What's the heritage of the car... Looks like maybe EL to me..
Lee

[Robbman]

Message deleted

[GonzoCRFan]

Congratulations!  What's the heritage of the car... Looks like maybe EL to me..
Lee

It is indeed former EL. Built in 1970 by the International Car Co as the last order of cabooses the EL ever ordered. You can find out more than you ever really wanted to know about the project here: http://www.thecrhs.org/21165project.html

We know it was retired in 1981, and for not having new paint or any sort of maintenance in for 26 years, it's in fantastic shape. We were delighted to discover yesterday that the air brakes still work and the trainline holds air. That was going to be a major hurdle in getting the car ready for revenue service that will hopefully be averted.

[Chris333]

Any idea what number it was on the EL? 

On Elwood's site:
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/frt/el-cab.html

[GonzoCRFan]

We don't know yet. One of the trucks still has the EL markings on it, although all the cleaning crew could distinguish today was the "C3" part. Hopefully we will be able to uncover more details as we spend more time on the car.

Thanks for the list, I'm forwarding that URL to the CRHS e-mail group.

[Chris333]

This one is sitting in Hubbard, OH:
http://www.hebners.net/cr/crN7D/cr21101May4_98.jpg
I just took pics of it a few days ago, but the one above is online so no need to upload mine. It is ex Erie #305.

Hey and I just found this:
http://www.hebners.net/cr/crN7E.html
21165 was EL 368
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/frt/el-c368amf.jpg

[GonzoCRFan]

Thanks for all the info, Chris. I just heard that after much cleaning, the guys discovered an intact "EL 368" on one of the truck sideframes today.

[CONRAIL FAN]

Hey chris is when is the spring rail picnic this year?