PRR Cabin Car 477828
Mike Spinelli photo
The Pennsylvania Railroad cabin car (PRR's name for "caboose") on display at the Orrville Union Station was built by the railroad's own shops in 1942 or 1943. It's distinctive shape was designed to go along with the railroad's streamlined steam engines and 200 were built. It is a class N5C cabin car, and is quite popular with collectors.
When the Pennsy became part of the Penn Central, the car was renumbered PC 230658. Later when the PC became part of Conrail, it was painted Conrail Blue but kept it's number.
In the late 1980's, Conrail was selling or scrapping many of it's cabooses. The railroads were reducing the number of crewmen on each train and the railroads felt they were no longer needed. The ORHS purchased the car and put it on display along with their station and tower.
The cabin car has been restored and is available for tours during events, or by special request.
