RDG 5078 is a 30' U.S. Railroad Administration design wood/steel composite boxcar. It was originally built for Philadelphia and Reading in 1919. Following its railroad career, it became the property of the Caloric Corporation in Topton, Pa., who donated it to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in 1977. The car is presently unlettered and used for storage at the museum.

September 14, 2007, Strasburg, PA
Photo credit: Josh Musser

This plug-door box is an example of an insulated car without refrigeration. The L in the class indicates the car was equipped with load-restraining devices. RDG 17039 has been preserved by the Reading Company Technical and Historical Society.

1998, Temple, PA
Photo credit: Josh Musser

Reading only had one small group of mechanical reefer cars, class RPLa, which were rebuilt from insulated box cars. A number of these cars, including 17092, were sold to the Gettysburg Railroad at some point in the 1980's. This car was not restenciled with "GETY" reporting marks although it is missing a door.

1990, Gettysburg, PA
Photo credit: Josh Musser

Sixty foot RDG 19903 is one of seven members of class XAPc, numbered 19900-19906. This car was built in July, 1964, by American Car and Foundry. On Conrail, it became CR 282841 and was classed BR62B. Now a part of the collection of the Reading Railroad Museum, the Conrail markings have been painted over and the car has been restenciled to its original number.

June 20, 2009, Temple, PA
Photo credit: Josh Musser

This car carried a one-of-a-kind Bee Line Service paint scheme, applied in the late 1960's.

Location/Date Unknown
Photo credit: Collection of Josh Musser

RDG 106760 was built in October, 1949 as one of 1,300 members of class XMy. It displays the green speed lettering paint scheme.

June 20, 2009, Temple, PA
Photo credit: Josh Musser

RDG 109132 is a class XMc car built by American Car and Foundry

June 20, 2009, Leesport, PA
Photo credit: Josh Musser

With most of the Reading markings blocked out or weathered away, RDG 111027 from class XMy is seen in the Pennsylvania coal regions at the yard in St. Nicholas, Pa. in 1989. Just prior to the Reading and Northern purchase of the "anthracite cluster" lines in late 1990, Conrail scrapped this car and many more vintage freight cars that were stored in various locations along the lines.

1989, St. Nicholas, PA
Photo credit: Josh Musser

Class XMf was created in the late 1960's when the Reading upgraded mechanical equipment on older class XMb boxcars. This car was used in maintenance of way service by Conrail and renumbered CR 56913. Conrail's MOW gray was used to paint out the RDG reporting marks.

June 20, 2009, Leesport, PA
Photo credit: Josh Musser

1998, Temple, PA
Photo credit: Josh Musser

This former Reading car was the victim of a fire and would make an interesting modeling project. Note that the entire Conrail reporting marks with the exception of the letter "C" is in Reading-style lettering.

1989, St. Nicholas, PA
Photo credit: Josh Musser