RDG Co., 50' Plug-Door Boxcar, Class RBLa, #17039

#17039 at Temple, PA, 1998. (photo courtesy Charles Murphy, Jr., MP&RE collection)

This plug-door box is an example of an insulated car without refrigeration. The L in the class indicates the car was equipped with load-restraining devices. Rebuilt and stretched from older class XMy boxcars. Numbered 17000–17064. To be restored green with <READING> banner.*[1]


RDG Co., 60' Double-Door Boxcar, Class XAPc, #19903

#19903 at Leesport, PA.

Class XAPc numbered only seven cars (Nos. 19900–19906) and these were the first sixty foot cars in freight service. Beginning in 1933, and lasting about twelve years, there were up to nine class BAu baggage cars in freight service classed XBAu. In a rather unusual arrangement, this class was financed under three separate trusts, of which one was for a single car.*[2]

Built 7/64, transferred to Conrail as #282841, to be restored brown with READING speed lettering and black diamond. Currently is being used to store “Tower Displays” of RCT&HS (model boards from several Reading towers).


RDG Co., 50' Single-Door Boxcar, Class XLj-2nd, #?????

Former RDG Co. (D&H #24861) XLj boxcar at Temple, PA, date unknown. (photo courtesy Charles Murphy, Jr., MP&RE collection)

Ex-RDG Co. XLj boxcars lined up at Temple, PA, date unknown. (photo courtesy Charles Murphy, Jr., MP&RE collection)

Reading’s XLj boxcars were built by Pullman Standard in three groups starting with Nos. 18400-18599, the second–Nos. 18600-18999 and the third–Nos. 20000-20199. Though all three groups were classed the same, each had visible structural differences. All had end of car cushioning, but there were eight different arrangements of load restraining equipment. Most of this class was in Reading reporting marks for only five years or so with the majority being transferred to Conrail in 1976. The remaining 297 cars went to the D&H. From there, about 60% migrated on to the Canadian Pacific where they were painted a rather pedestrian boxcar red, but continuing to carry the XLj class designation.*[3]

Our three XLj third group cars were donated between 2001-2002 by the Canadian Pacific. Built in 1971, they will eventually be restored green with <READING> banner.


RDG Co., 50' Single-Door Boxcar, Class XLj-3rd, #20003, #20042

#20003 at Temple, PA. (photo courtesy Rick Bates, MP&RE Collection)

#20042 at Temple, PA, September 2002. (photo courtesy Mike Shirk)

The third group of XLj’s (see above) were built in 1972 and delivered in solid green paint with a jumbo “RDG” logo. They were one of the last new boxcars built for the Reading, and were equipped with roller bearings, hydraulic cushioning units, and “DF” load restraints–the state of the art in 1972!

Both of our class XLj third group cars were transferred to Conrail in 1976, eventually becoming surplus with the lessened demand for '50 boxcars. In July 1996, we purchased Reading #20003 from Conrail, adding another (#20042) in January 1999. #20042 had the fortune of surviving as a Maintenance of Way storage in the Conrail Yard at Lyons, NY. Both boxcars are in very good condition and are used for storage of parts and artifacts. We’re lucky to have not one, but five cars of this class as most have been scrapped. Once restored, we hope to use them on photo freight trains.


RDG Co., 40' Single-Door Boxcar, Class XMy, #106760

#106760 at Leesport, PA, date unknown.

From the series 10600-10799, built by Reading Car Shops 10/48 (rebuilt 3/71). These 40' cars featured 8' doors and an inside height of 10'6" and a Murphy riveted steel roof.*[2]Class XMy is similar in most respects to class XMw, except that it was built without the Duryea Cushion Underframe.*[3]To be restored dark green with READING speed lettering and hollow diamond.


RDG Co., 40' Single-Door Boxcar, Class XMb, #108474

Photo to come.

Similar to XMa class. Built by American Car and Foundry 10/50 (rebuilt 5/65), numbered 108000-10849. To be restored green with <READING> banner.


RDG Co., 40' Single-Door Boxcar, Class XMc, #109132

#109132 at Temple, PA, September 2002. (photo courtesy Mike Shirk)

Built by American Car and Foundry, distinguished from other XMa and XMb classes through its different ends and roof panels. Restored brown with with READING Roman lettering to be added.


RDG Co., 40' Single-Door Boxcar, Class XMf, #118141

#118141 at Temple, PA, 1998. (photo courtesy Charles Murphy, Jr., MP&RE collection)

Class XMf (Nos. 118000-118249) was created in the late 1960s when the Reading upgraded the underframes, brake equipment and running gear on older class XMb boxcars. After serving as Conrail #56913, car #118141 awaits a restoration of its current <READING> banner paint scheme.*[1]

Notes:
*1 (info courtesy Josh Musser, Reading Railroad Page)
*2 (info courtesy Colorful Memories of Reading’s Shamokin Division by Gerard Bernet)
*3 (info courtesy RDG Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment by Craig T. Bossler)
(last updated: 7/03)