Background & History

Flat car 9653 was built in the Readings own shops in Reading PA in 1960 under AFE #23298.

These flat cars were rebuilds from Class GHh bulkhead flat cars originally built in 1942. They were rebuilt as 25 ton capacity cars, measuring 52’ 6” over the couplers and equipped with vertical framing to accommodate Vertical Auto Frame Loading.

The flat car was used to haul auto frames from the Parish Division of Dana Corporation in Reading. Parish was a major shipper for the Reading and Conrail until its Reading Plant closed in September 2000. The fact that this car still exists is rather remarkable since only five cars of the class were left in 1975! 

We expect to restore this car to its original dark green paint scheme.