John...
Although it seems silly to me, to "restore" the old boxcar coaches to their original condition, I hope that - if it is undertaken at all - it is done well. (There are plenty of boxcars intact, to show what they were like.)
My guess is that a "restoration" would amount to little more than applying T&G siding, mounting side doors, and painting. (The little end door used for loading long pieces of lumber and pipe would not be that fascinating to restore.)
A major problem in doing a responsible restoration is that some serious structural elements were removed in the conversion to passenger service, to bring the window sills down to a pleasant level. The side truss members were of oak, and were fitted in with tradional wood fitters technicques. It would take some fine craftsmen to replicate this work accurately.
One of the things I learned, didn't respect originlly, but came to eventually, is that sleazy replicas of old things are not admirable. I had a terrible time with the New Mexico Historical people, who oversaw the architectural work being done at the railroad, when I wanted the Antonito depot to look like a railroad station. (Platform overhangs, operator bay window, etc.) The first architect's proposal looked like a ski lodge. For once, reason prevailed - not that the Antonito depot is an architectural masterpiece. But, it's OK.
So, I hope that if energy is put into the "restoration" of the boxcars, it is not just a cosmetic thing. Otherwise, there are certainly better preservation activities that could be carried out on the railroad.
Bob Keller