Marty,
The car in question is a PRR class SA poling car with a center pivot point so the pole can be used in a forward or reverse movement. The pole pivot was a bracket attached to the car side-sill with a control rod extending up to above the car deck for manual alignment.
In Wayner's 1969 book Pennsy Car Plans there is a drawing of a classs S-5 car with a similar poling mechanism but a larger crew cabin. the car is 25'-6" over end sills and has 14'-6" truck centers with a 5'-6" wheelbase.
Now you can build two.
Buzz