| One of five cars pulled from long lines of stored EBT freight cars in the Rockhill yard in 2006, boxcar 168 (built 1920 by EBT) was converted to a handicapped accessible open car, similar to boxcar #175.
During the spring of 2006, a flatcar (now restored), and two hopper cars (one restored) were removed from the south end of track three after enough track was cleared on the main to do so. Later on in December, two boxcars (168 and 174) were removed from tracks in the main part of the yard near the shops.
It was decided that #168 would be converted to an open car, adding much needed seating capacity and reducing the dependancy on the antique 1880s passenger equipment, while #174 would be restored at a later time.
The work began by removing the freight doors, cutting out the side sheets between post, cutting door openings in the ends, and removing the flooring. The failing metal roof was removed and the wood underneith covered in new plywood. A rubber roof was applied to protect the wood. One of the bolsters was found to be in poor condition so it was cut back to solid steel and new steel welded on to reconstruct it. Additional reinforcing gussets were added to structural seams. [FEBT Timber Transfer V24 N3]
The donated battery-powered wheelchair lift was installed at the left rear corner. A solar panel charges the battery. |