Wreck & MOW
Reading Company MOW Flatcar, Class FMdx #96611
Background & History
In a classic case of Recycling by the Reading, MOW Flatcar 96611 began life as a gondola built in the early 1920’s. In the early 1930’s, rather than buy traditional flatcars, the Reading took 44 of its GML gondolas and converted them to flatcars. The cars were rated at 70 tons, were 40’ long, and were equipped with wood floors.
The 44 cars were assigned Class FMd and were used for hauling steel from Pottstown and Steelton, PA to the west coast for construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. When the bridge was completed, the cars were put into general service and could be seen carrying many commodities like auto frames and other steel products. The cars would be forever known on the Reading as “Golden Gate Cars”.
Flatcar 96611 at Temple, PA 2002.
(Photo Courtesy Mike Shirk)
As the cars grew older, and steel products became heavier and more bulky, the cars were reassigned to Maintenance of Way (MOW) service and reclassed as Class FMdx. Car 96611 came to us thru Conrail as did much of our collection. So proud that we own not one, but two “Golden Gate Cars”.
Restoration will be into its appearance during its life hauling steel to the Golden Gate Bridge.