Anyone know what this is?

It an inspection car for taking dignitaries, customers and other big-wigs for a tour of the line.

Rusty

I think I have seen similar things as "inspection" engines or trains.    They were used to take the board of directors or big stockholders on a tour of the line to see what they owned.    Also used when thinking of buying a new line.

Can't see for sure in the photo, but it looks like at least 4 rows of seats - seems like a lot to be in front of the boiler on a steamer.

I can just about make out some of the wording on the bottom right of the picture, and it seems to say 'Inspection 1916'

Below is a picture of a PRR inspection car that I found on the net. You can see the seating arrangement better in this view.

This is a totally separate, stand-alone passenger car, not part of a locomotive. It was shoved in front of a locomotive.

Being that the photo was 1916, I wouldn't imagine that there were very many "grade crossings", let alone anything really heavy to hit. It sure seems to have a substantial pilot anyway, in case a horse or some cattle were on the track.

The bigwigs sure must have gotten a nice lot of fresh air.

In this one the engine itself was used for the inspection team. It probably didn't require heating even on chilly days!!!

Jim

Here is one that was used by the Burlington around 1900. Engine number 360 on this 4-4-0 American.

RAY

Thanks for all the info.  I never saw a cow catcher on a passenger car, but as Rich stated, if it was being pushed, it would be needed.  It would be a neat car to model along with the other ones shown.

I have been acquiring chasses to kitbash one of these.  I have seen photos of quite

a few like that Jim Policastro posted, and even of the Burlington one before.  I have

not seen an inspection coach with that massive a pilot, and would like to see a side

view of whatever that is. As shown by "Ray's" Burlington photo above, a lot of space

could be tacked onto the smokebox to make it one unit.  The Burlington one, with

closed observation doors, (with gunports added) would have been useful years earlier to fend of Indian attacks.

Attached is an image of the Lehigh Valley inspection engine "Dorothy".

Here is a better picture of the PRR inspection coach i mentioned above. According to the information i've been able to find, the PRR had 6 inspection coaches.

 Here is an earlier version.

And here are a couple more inspection locomotives.

These get weirder and weirder!

They never show the coach with the movie screen riding 50 ft ahead. 

Dang, that thing looks freaky!

Kent in SD

BOD of GM on the hot seat!

Here's the CVRR Jenny Lind.  Was originally a 2-2-2 wheel arrangement engine sister to the 2-2-2 CVRR Pioneer and was converted to a 2-2-4

All I can say is they better hold on to their hats, and get ready to duck if it hits a deer!  Wouldn't a rear platform be more practical?