Cabooses
Northeastern Style Cabooses
RDG Class NMj #92832 and RDG Class NMp #94074
Known to railroad enthusiasts as the “Northeastern” caboose, the railroads operating them referred to the cars by class.
The cars were primarily operated by railroads in Northeastern (Mid Atlantic) States including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Maryland. They could also be found in service in Ohio, Delaware and West Virginia.
The design was originated by the Reading Company in the early 1920’s in anticipation of proposed legislation requiring that cabooses operated as thru freights in Pennsylvania be eight wheeled and at least 24 feet long. The legislation was finally enacted in 1929, with the additional requirement that the caboose center sill be the equivalent of that on a forty-ton freight car.
Caboose #92832 Reading Class NMj at Leesport Yard, Spring 2002.
Caboose #94074 Reading Class NMp at Leesport Yard, Spring 2002.
Reading Company management reviewed several designs and settled on one developed by the United States Railroad Administration in 1920 using wood sheathing over a steel frame. However, instead of wood, the Reading used steel. Changes in the appearance of the car from the original design were due to the all-steel construction. Several railroads purchased cars using the original design from American Car & Foundry, but only the Pittsburgh & Shawmut Railroad adopted it as their standard caboose.
On the Reading, the first ten cars were built in July 1924 and the last of the design was constructed in April 1948, making it Reading’s standard caboose as well. Class NMp was the last class constructed by the Reading and Car 94074 was the highest number in that class. The design was adopted by other railroads that connected directly or indirectly with the Reading: Western Maryland (1936), Lehigh & New England (1937), Lehigh Valley (1939), Pittsburgh & West Virginia (1940), Central Railroad of New Jersey (1942), and Lehigh & Hudson River (1942).
Both the 92832 and 94074 were relocated to Hamburg Pa. when the RCT&HS purchased the property for their museum in 2012. 92832 is open for inside tours whenever the museum is open. The visitor can get a first-hand look at a train crew’s office including bunk beds, brake pressure gauge, tool cabinets and coal stove with an ever-brewing pot of coffee.
Northeast Steel Caboose Specifications
(As Built)
Builder:
RDG Co. Shops
Reading, PA
Dates Built:
1936 thru 1948
RDG Classes:
NMj (1936) Andrews Trucks
NMk (1937) Taylor Trucks
NMl (1941) Birdsboro Trucks Cupola
NMo (1944) Birdsboro Trucks Typical
NMp (1948) Taylor Trucks
Length over Strikers: 32’ 8”
Carbody Length: 24’ 11”
Carbody Width: 9’ 3”
Carbody Height: 11’ 0”
Carbody Weight: 42,400 lbs