It takes quite a bit of work to transform one of these flat cars into the excursion cars you ride!

 

The newest excursion car started out as a DODX 12 wheel -  100 ton flatcar that the Chapter acquired from Camp Lejune, NC.  These cars where built to haul tanks and other heavy equipment for the DOD. It was stored with 2 others at an offsite location for about 10 yrs.

 

The cars where craned and trucked over to our new location where they would be re-evaluated for condition and begin restoration and transformation into a new passenger excursion car.  Here, you can see the deck was White Oak lumber that held up in some places but not in others.
The Oak was removed, the frame and supports where cleaned and primed to protect.  New pressure treated lumber was installed.  Here some of our volunteers are busy installing the new decking.
Here you can see the installation of the side posts into some of the stake pockets for supporting the future side walls.  Also, this is great picture of the 3-axle trucks, they have an interesting cantilever articulation for good load distribution over all axles regardless of the track.
Treated plywood is installed first to the side posts, to provide some strength and to protect passengers by keeping hands and legs inside the car.
The cement board is installed on the outside for a durable weather resistant exterior and the top railing is nailed down to give a finished look.
Saftey gates were fabricated and installed to every entrance and exit, a fresh coat of paint covered the cement board, and Christmas decorations for the car's first revenue run at NHV on Dec 3 2006.
Some finishing touches; the car frame is finished with a fresh coat of black enamel.

Would you like to help us keep railroad history alive?  Become a volunteer or contact us about a donation.

(c) 2007 East Carolina Chapter NRHS. All Rights Reserved.