BLI 10179 HO Scale CSX Type Track Inspection Theater Car Conrail CR 9 1997-1999 Appearance

These striking cars are more than passenger equipment—they are rolling symbols of corporate power, inspection authority, and railroad heritage carried into the modern era.

Whether displayed on a siding, running at the tail end of an executive special, or incorporated into a passenger consist, these cars add unmistakable presence and realism to any HO scale layout.

Conrail No. 9 began life in 1954 as a Canadian National Railway dinette car, built by Pullman-Standard. Originally numbered CN 428, the car was acquired by Conrail in December 1982 and temporarily renumbered “CR 23” to facilitate U.S. Customs clearance.

In 1984, the car was sent to the Reading Shops, where it underwent a comprehensive rebuild. The transformation was extensive—the car was stripped down to its structural elements and rebuilt as a high-end executive theater car tailored for corporate service.

Conrail No. 9 quickly became a signature tail car on executive trains, frequently appearing on corporate, sales, and promotional trips. Following the breakup of Conrail between Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX Transportation, the car was transferred to CSX, repainted, and renamed “W. Thomas Rice.” Today, it continues to operate on CSX rails, carrying forward its legacy as a premier executive car.

Featuring Broadway Limited’s Touch Control Lighting System, allowing interior and exterior lighting to be activated with a simple touch. This intuitive system brings the cars to life instantly—no CV programming or special commands required—making them as impressive in operation as they are in appearance.

Warm interior lighting, crisp exterior illumination, and carefully detailed interiors combine to create a true showpiece, especially in low-light or display settings.

FEATURES:

• Beautifully Detailed and Accurately Modeled to Conrail and CSX Appearances
• Precision Paint, Color, and Lettering Schemes with Properly Colored Interiors
• Many Separately Applied Details Including Handrails, Grab Irons, Antenna and Conduit Arrangement, and Various Underbody Detail
• Detailed Interiors Prototypical to Each Car
• Proper Underbody Detail per the Prototype
• Finger Touch Control of Exterior and Interior Lights. Lights Include Front Lights, Interior Lights, Track Lights, Tail Lights, and Spot Lights (where applicable)
• Interior Lights are Dimmable with Finger Touch Control
• Two Operating Kadee-Compatible Couplers
• Compatible Tracks: Code 70, 83, 100 Rail
• Minimum Operating Radius: 18 in.
• Coupler to coupler length: 12 inches
• Model weight: 6.2 ounces