The car was rebuilt by the New York Central in 1966 and converted to an 80-seat commuter car. The car was further rebuilt by Metro-North in the early 1980s. It would appear that in the 1966 rebuild, the original glass lenses in the lights were replaced with plexiglass, however, the lights were possibly still serviceable. Anyone know? We would love see images or learn recollections from the car's second career as commuter coach. In the 1980s rebuild, it appears the light's lenses were painted over due to the color of the paint used, and the bulbs and other parts (fluorescent starter) of the fixtures removed. Yet, the fluorescent sockets and reflector were left in place.
As the R&GVRRM's ex-NYC coaches are equipped today with commuter seats, but with the original baggage racks with the original reading lights painted over.
The baggage rack reading lights as they appear today after having been painted over. The switch to turn them on and off can still be seen at the left.
The fixtures are still inside the baggage rack arms. The fixtures use a 14 inch fluorescent tube and most of the fixture is still there including the reflector and sockets seen here.
When this author discovered many years ago that the fixtures were still there, the seed of someday restoring the lights to operation was planted. With the interior work on the NYC #2567, the time seemed right to investigate if the fixtures could be returned to service. After finding a new small electronic ballast, a new replica switch, a new bulb, and a new lens made from the old plexiglass removed from the car's windows, one of the light fixtures was successfully rebuilt using the original sockets and reflector.Here are some images from the result of the restoration of the light fixture.
The restored baggage rack light fixture which required a new electronic ballast, bulb, switch and lens to return it to service.
