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.
Box car prior to its 2004 restoration.
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.