Conrail Historical Society to turn donated boxcar into museum
The Conrail Historical Society in Shippensburg, Pa., has acquired an 86-foot auto-parts boxcar for use as a Conrail museum. CSX Transportation has donated the car, built in 1970 and formerly Conrail No. 295633. It will eventually be repainted in Conrail colors, while the 10,467-cubic-foot interior will become a museum and archive for visitors and researchers. The Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau has provided a $100,000 grant to fund the majority of the $134,000 project; the remainder is coming from historical society funds and in-kind donations of local contractors for material and labor. The car is currently stored in Chambersburg, Pa., and will eventually be trucked 11 miles to the museum location. Estimated date for opening of the new museum is summer 2021. For more information, visit the society’s website.
County takes ownership of former UP North Topeka station
Shawnee County, Kan., has accepted ownership of Great Overland Station in North Topeka, a former Union Pacific depot that now serves as a local history museum and event venue. WIBW-TV reports county commissioners approved the purchase of the building, built by UP 1927 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, for $1. It is valued at more than $5 million. The facility will be operated by the county’s department of parks and recreation, and could become part of a planned park along the Kansas River.
Reading & Northern adds to coal marketing team
Karl Laubenstine has joined the Reading & Northern Railroad as vice president, coal marketing & sales. He joins the railroad from Atlantic Carbon Group, Inc., an anthracite mining and processing company in Hazelton, Pa. The railroad has also expanded responsibilities and has a new title for Jim Cerulli, now vice president, business development. He was previously vice president, coal marketing.
