Background & History

We find ourselves wondering about this car. The only thing we know is that the paint indicated this was a Reading class XLj Boxcar, number unknown  except the D&H car number 24861. Class XLj Boxcars were built by Pullman Standard in three groups starting with Group 1 Nos. 18400 thru 18599, Group 2 18600 thru 18999, and Group 3 20000 thru 20199 for a total of 700 boxcars. This boxcar is from the first or second group due to it wearing the Reading’s “Banner” paint scheme. In 1976 when Conrail took over, most of the XLj box cars went to Conrail, with 297 going to the D&H. Some of the D&H cars ended up going to Canadian Pacific. 

Perhaps with some sanding during the restoration process we’ll discover the correct Reading number for this car. Plans are for this car to be restored into the Dark Green Reading “Banner” paint scheme.