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Conrail Cyclopedia G52X: Photos In 1994 Conrail teamed with Carpenter Technology, Cromweld Steels, Johnstown America Corporation, and fastener fabricator Huck Manufacturing. Their goal was to build a stainless-steel coalporter that was more durable than the current carbon-steel models. CR 507537 is one of two prototype cars that they built, painting them grey to distinguish them from other coalporters during testing. I don't know the number of the other prototype car, nor do I know if it actually saw service. Location: Christiansburg, VA   1-04 Photo Online: May 29, 2004 CR 507537 Joe Shaw (69K) Another shot of the gon on the same train. Location: Bluefield, WV   2004 Photo Online: May 29, 2004 CR 507537 Joe Shaw (102K) Robb is a good friend of Joe Shaw. Robb caught the gon up in Bluefield. Location: Bluefield, WV   Fall 2002 Photo Online: May 29, 2004 CR 507537 Robb Fisher (75K) 12-panel stainless steel car. Location: Shire Oaks, PA   Summer 1998 Photo Online: February 12, 1999 CR 507558 Roger Durfee(77K) The car is practically new in this shot. The Detail Photos page features many detail shots of this car. Location: Altoona, PA   2-98 Photo Online: March 25, 2004 CR 507620 Rob Russell (124K) 12-panel stainless steel car. The car was at the Railroaders Memorial Museum during Railfest in 1997. Conrail was showing off Holidaysburg latest project. Location: Altoona, PA   1997 Photo Online: May 17, 1998 CR 507670 Paul Tupaczewski (31K) The 507716 was built in 10-97. The G52X is a stainless steel car, unlike the other coalporters, which are regular steel. Roger Durfee says that these stainless cars developed a problem early on with some of the rivets holding the handrails and handbrake housing, working their way loose--not a good thing if you are the trainman riding the car! The whole fleet got recycled through Hollidaysburg to correct the problem, and Conrail applied a white dot to the car's reporting marks, indicating the car had been modified. Roger says he was working in Altoona at the time. He would build up a track of these cars as they came in and then take them down for repair. Bottom line is that if you are doing one of these as a "new" car do not add the white dot, but if you model Conrail in its last year, it's just one of those little details we fans have come to know and love! Location: Bluefield, WV   4-11-03 Photo Online: May 28, 2004 CR 507716 Joe Shaw (112K) Another late-Conrail gondola. Location: Bluefield, WV   4-03 Photo Online: May 28, 2004 CR 507847 Joe Shaw (139K) Copyright (c) 1998-2009 Robert S. Waller. All rights reserved. Photos for personal use only. All rights reserved by original owner of image. Reproduction or redistribution in any form without express written permission is prohibited.