This car was built by the PRR in Altoona on 6-11-1923. It was part of a lot of 100 in the 1923 Program, with the order dated 3-20-1923.
It was not built under any equipment trust. As built it had 2A-F1 archbar trucks with elliptical springs, cast iron wheels, ARA Type “D” couplers with Farlow attachments and key type yokes, Westinghouse D4 draft gear, Westinghouse 10" air brake with K2 triple valve, 3-position 25-50 retaining valve, PRR 2 plus brake beams, and Carmer uncoupling devices. It cost $3285.82. Its original assignment was to the Pittsburgh Division of the Western Pennsylvania Grand Division.

The following additions or betterments were recorded through 2-25-1951:

On 7-2-1926 at Pitcairn #4 Yard two Sherburne alarm whistles, two emergency brake valves, and an air brake pressure gauge were applied.

On 6-13-1930 at #4 Pitcairn the draft gear on each end was changed to Westinghouse NZ11D.

On 10-29-1936 at Pitcairn the draft gear on each end was changed to Edgewater B32-KA and brake beam safety supports were applied. The two equipment boxes were removed.

On 11-8-1940 at Pitcairn Freight Shops Westinghouse AB 1012 air brakes were applied replacing the KD 1012 brakes, one-wear wrought steel wheels were applied replacing the cast iron wheels, laminated safety glass was applied replacing plain glass windows, brake pipe end cocks with extension rods and drop handles were applied replacing the old style end cocks, and Type “E” couplers were applied replacing Type “D”.

On 10-14-1943 at Buffalo 2A-F5 trucks were applied replacing 2A-F1.
In addition, at some point by 2-25-1951 the brake beams were changed to AAR 2+ and the retaining valves were rebuilt, probably to the 4-position type.

In the 5-15-1957 System Cabin Car Assignments, N5 #477375 was assigned to the Northern Region – Buffalo-Renovo. By then it had collision posts, but no trainphone.

According to PRR Form MP-374 Equipment Valuation Books, N5 #477375 was retired from the freight equipment roster in 1961. Accordingly, it is not listed in the 5-3-1974 Penn Central Caboose Directory or in the 6-6-1981 Conrail Caboose Directory. However, its Historical Record Card is not included with the cards for cars retired between 1950 and 1967.

On September 11, 1976, the car was photographed in Ringoes, NJ.

(John C. LaRue Jr. Collection).

At that time it still had PRR shadow keystone lettering, but with ACI labels, which weren’t used until 1968. It also had power hand brakes instead of the original “Blackall” ratchet lever hand brakes, 48” end handrails, collision posts, a dry hopper, a saloon ventilator, storm windows on the cupola side windows, aluminum window frames on all windows, and the chimney moved close to the cupola. All of these things must have been added between 2-25-1951 and 1961. Since the car obviously survived beyond 1961, it must have been transferred to Work Equipment service without having been repainted or renumbered. That would account for the missing Historical Record Card and the survival of the shadow keystone lettering.

Please send any additions or corrections to:
Robert L. Johnson, 5000 Northlawn Circle, Murrysville, PA 15668.
bobjohnson@alltel.net