CARS 4
SOUTHERN PACIFIC PERLITE CAR #73
Southern Pacific converted 8 ordinary boxcars into perlite cars. Four survive; numbers 9, 73, 76, and 92.
The Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge Historical Society decided that at least one must be saved and restored so they purchased #73 and paid to have it moved from the Bishop area to the back lot of the Eastern Sierra museum in Independence where, one day, the work will be done.
On a fine morning in the middle of May, 2009 these guys showed up
and did this
Then Betty Dews drove her truck down to Independence
and Eckhardt, the Mulls, Steve Bowers and Steve Tapia did this
Her roof has been stabilized...and there she sits. Thanks everyone.
The Society chose well when they picked #73. It has an interesting history;
1880 built by Carter Brothers as 28' box car #254 for Oregonian Railroad
1-17-1899 Formal transfer to S.P.C. as #452
10-27-1907 To Nevada & Cal. as # 440
1912 or shortly thereafter renumbered S.P.N.G. #73
1923 rebuilt at Sparks from 20 to 30 ton car, 4' trucks
1957 rebuilt to Perlite Car
1961 Placed at Bishop location.
2009 to S.P.N.G. Historical Society, at the age of 129 years old.
To be restored as a 28' Perlite Boxcar