St.Elmo Box Cars

Gentlemen: There has been some confusion about the two C&S box car bodies that were left near the former St. Elmo depot site on the hillside south of that ghost town. I've gone back to my original research, scetches and photos of some 45 years ago, when some of the lettering was still visible. (The photos and caption on page 326 of The South Park Line are correct.)

The 26' car was former DSP&P from the 560-739 series, built by Linchfield in 1878. It was renumbered as UP (DL&G) 24148 and became C&S 7298. By 1977 the roof of this car had fallen-in and it could not have survived many more years in this condition.

The 27'car (on right in the photo on p.326) was a former Kansas Central box. (Inside was faint lettering "402" probably the original KC number?) The car was later UP (KC) 25192 and became C&S 7681 after 1899.

Hope this helps clarify things. Perhaps some reader can tell us the current condition of these cars.-Mal Ferrell