RAILCAR GOLD Chapter 13 . . PeachBottom . . Part 5
RAILCAR GOLD is a historically accurate multi-generational fictional tale of hidden treasure, primarily set in York County, Pennsylvania during the latter half of the Nineteenth Century. This is Part 5 of Chapter 13 . . . PeachBottom. A new part will be posted every Thursday. Recent chapters stand alone, starting here; however new readers may want to start at the beginning.
CHAPTER 13 . . . PEACHBOTTOM . . . Part 5
Dan had another keeper newspaper article in the June 15th, 1875 issue of the York Daily. This article contained a detailed description of the Peach Bottom Railways’ No. 3 and No. 4 Passenger Cars:
The middle division of the Peach Bottom Railway Company now owns four passenger coaches, two of which have recently been built by Messrs. Billmeyer & Smalls, car builders, of this place. These new cars will be put into regular use today.
The one “No. 3” is a very handsome and complete car, having all modern appliances of a first class passenger car. It is 41 feet in length and 8 feet wide with a double deck and contains seats for forty-four persons besides a modern car stove in the centre and water closet at the end.
The body of the car is made of yellow pine, poplar and ash. It is painted a color similar to those used by the Penna. And N. C. R. W. Cos., and ornamented with appropriate striping and scroll work. Along the top of the car is in large letters “Peach Bottom.” And along each side is an ellipse surrounding by moulding, with the word “Bangor” painted upon a green ground.
Monograms of the road adorn the four corners, and above the doors the “Middle (3) Division,” and on the doors is the usual motto warning persons not to ride on the platforms. The window heads are elliptical, surmounted by a neat moulding. The car is mounted on one of Billmeyer & Small’s patented trucks.
The interior of the car is finished with walnut, bird’s eye maple, and cherry. The windows are provided with cherry blinds, and both blinds and windows can be hoisted the same as in broad gauge cars. Above the windows are silver plated hat or umbrella hooks. The head lining is painted and ornamented presenting a rich appearance. Along each side of the upper deck are ventilating windows glazed with ground and cut glass. These windows open on hinges.
The seats are covered with red plush, and have reversible backs which are backed with green plush. There is a handsome lamp on each car. Over each door is the builders’ card.
Car “No. 4” is a combination baggage and passenger car, and is painted the same color as the other. Over the top of the windows is “Peach Bottom” in large letters and along the side “Middle (4) Division.”
The painting both of the exterior and interior of this car is perfectly plain. A partition divides this car into two apartments. About one-third of the room is intended to carry baggage in, and two-thirds for passengers.
The passengers will be seated along each side of the car facing each other. The seats will accommodate about twenty persons.
As stated above, these cars will be run today for the accommodation of persons who will attend the railroad meeting at Woodbine. Persons who have not yet been over the road will have an opportunity of making a cheap excursion over it today.
Many of Billmeyer & Smalls’ ads, around the country, now carried a note:
The PeachBottom Narrow Gauge Railway, beginning at York, Pa., being in practical operation, persons desirous of examining a Narrow Gauge Road and its equipment, can do so by calling on us, where they will find our cars in daily use, it being only a few hours’ ride from New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
The earnestly anticipated “No. 3” first class car was well utilized by David E. Small in the coming years to land big orders for narrow gauge railcars.
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