Friday, May 30, 2014

Ex-GN Business Car A-26, aka NCBX #826

IMG_7523 Oregon Pacific Observation Car at East Portland on July 13, 2007
Ex-GN Business Car at East Portland on July 13, 2007

This steel-sheathed wood passenger car was originally built as an observation car for the Great Northern Railway. It later became business car A-26 and was eventually transferred to maintenance of way service.

IMG_7524 Oregon Pacific Observation Car at East Portland on July 13, 2007
Ex-GN Business Car at East Portland on July 13, 2007

The Great Northern merged into Burlington Northern in 1970, and this car was part of the merger. It remained in service with Burlington Northern for a number of years until it was retired.

IMG_0259 Oregon Pacific Observation Car in Milwaukie on February 16, 2008
Ex-GN Business Car in Milwaukie on February 16, 2008

Somewhere along the line, it was lettered as NCBX #826, with "STANDARD RAIL" on one side. It found its way to Portland and spent years stored in various locations, including on a siding near Linnton, Oregon, northwest of Portland. Vandals set fire to the car in 2006.

IMG_0260 Oregon Pacific Observation Car in Milwaukie on February 16, 2008
Ex-GN Business Car in Milwaukie on February 16, 2008

Dick Samuels eventually purchased the car. It spent time near OMSI at East Portland Junction before being moved to the Oregon Pacific shops in Milwaukie in early 2008, where it was be restored for excursion service and given the name "Kelly Sue." It was later moved to Golf Junction in Sellwood.

IMG_9448 Oregon Pacific Observation Car at Golf Jct on October 3, 2009
Ex-GN Business Car at Golf Jct. on October 3, 2009

In 2011, Samuel acquired the fully restored Southern Pacific Business Car Santa Rosa. With the Santa Rosa available for excursion service, Samuels subsequently sold this car to another owner, though it has remained stored at Golf Junction where it is under restoration.

IMG_9452 Oregon Pacific Observation Car at Golf Jct on October 3, 2009
Ex-GN Business Car at Golf Jct. on October 3, 2009

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