Passenger Car Project

The 1905 Central Vermont Car has been donated to the Grand County Model Railroad Club to preserve at the museum, but requires money to get the car here along with the cost of restoration. It will cost approximately $25,000 to move the car from Rhode Island to Granby, and another $30,000 for restoration. If you would like to help get this project underway by donating resources, please contact Dave Naples at 970.887.9478 or email info@moffatroadrailroadmuseum.org.

About the Car
This car was one of several similarly designed cars for use in a single first class train of the period. The car, formerly No. 382, is the sole survivor of the series, having outlasted its sisters through demotion to work train service and use as a rider car with the wreck train. The car was built in 1905 by the American Car & Foundry Company, who also built the same model for David Moffat's railroad.

The car is 70 feet long overall, about 14 feet high and weighs about 48 tons. It is presently located on private land on rail connected to the national rail system. However, due to its age, it cannot move on its own wheels.

The Car's Features
The car has a wood body and a steel under frame with truss rods. Windows are paired with a single arched pane spanning each pair of operable sash. All operable sash have storm windows. The car has a vented but enclosed clerestory, and open vestibules, which were originally closed, the original vestibule doors having long since disappeared. Most of the car remains intact including its inlaid mahogany paneling, smoking compartment and toilet compartments at each end. A single corner lavatory with its faucets and piping remains of the original plumbing fixtures.

Other original fixtures in the car include brass wire luggage racks, brass window hardware, two mirrors and a few match-striking pads in the smoking compartment. Although two upholstered walkover seats came with the car, it is doubtful that either of these is original to the car, but may be of an even earlier period as both have wooden seat frames.

The car rides on its original six-wheel wood beam passenger trucks and still maintains its original draft gear and couplers. The car is equipped with air brakes.

Restoration
Exterior restoration work completed to date includes: (1)*residing of the exterior with tongue and groove red cedar siding, (2)*replacement of most window sills with a non-rotting tropical hardwood, (3)*new storm sash, (4)*temporary enclosure of the clerestory using plywood and aluminum vents (5)*approximately 80% of the *B* end vestibule has been rebuilt.

The B end was considered to be in the better condition of the two ends, thereby providing the most intact pieces for replication and measurement. New specially made pieces were replicated using mahogany to replace the rotted wood at both ends of the car. These pieces will be sold with the car along with oak timbers used to replace the end sills and crash posts.

Refinishing of the woodwork in the central third of the car's interior has also been done. With some tender loving care, this car will make a great museum piece.

We are very thankful to have come across the opportunity to restore this passenger car through Ozark Mountain Railcar and its private owner. Grand County Model Railroad Club is committed to complete the restoration of the car, and intends to display the car on the Museum property which will foster community involvement. Current photos courtesy Ozark Mountain Railcar.