Chesapeake & Ohio Insulated Box Car #5504
GE #7258 switching C&O box car #5504 in Kempton yard on Saturday November 6, 2004.
Chesapeake & Ohio insulated box car #5504 was built in 1960 and has a 65 ton capacity. Car #5504 was part on a fleet of insulated cars (without refrigerators) used by Kellogg's in Battle Creek, Michigan.
During the 1980s a group called Atlantic Central Steam was managing the Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson steam locomotive #2839. They had a box car that was lined with interior shelving and used for storage in support of #2839. The box car was damaged while stored at Modena, near Coatesville, Pennsylvania. At the time, C&O #5504 was also stored at Modena. Car #5504 replaced the damaged box car and then remained dormant until 1990. Meanwhile, the Strasburg Railroad expressed interest in a B&O coach owned by the WK&S. By 1990 Atlantic Central Steam had dispersed and was willing to give #5504 to the WK&S along with all the interior shelving. A trade was arranged whereby the B&O car was given to Strasburg and Strasburg arranged for #5504 to come to Kempton.
Once at Kempton, #5504 was put to work as a shop for the repair, restoration and storage of coach components and usually resides on the back track behind Kempton Station. During the summer of 2004, #5504 received its original paint scheme and mechanical work. In addition to its shop and storage duties, #5504 is now available for Photo Freight Specials.
December 2010 saw the first use of diesel power on the annual Santa Claus Specials. Without a steam locomotive a new method of heating the coaches was needed. The box car was fitted with a small boiler and is now available for use as a steam generator car.
The pictures above and below show restoration and detail shots from 2004.
The box car is available for Photo Freight Specials.
C&O #5504 was put to use as a steam generator car beginning with the 2010 Santa Claus Specials. A northbound train about to depart Kempton. The years have not been kind the box car's yellow paint.
#5504 brings up the rear of a southbound Santa train returning to Kempton.