QUICK FACTS

Model: Canadian National Pointe St. Charles van
Built: 1971
Builder: Canadian National Railway Pointe St. Charles Shops, Montreal, QC
Past Owners: Canadian National Railway
Current Owner: The Garbely Publishing Company (leased to and operated by TOYX, Inc.)
Current Location: Danbury Railway Museum, Danbury, CT

Caboose No. 79462 (called a “van” in Canada) was one of 548 such cars (Nos. 79350-79897) built by the Canadian National Railway (CN) between 1970 and 1977. These cars reused parts from old 40-foot steel boxcars in CN’s 472XXX number series (built November 1937 to February 1938). The underframe and side panels from the boxcars were reused, while entirely new platforms, roofs, and interiors were constructed. These cars were were outfitted with axle generators and batteries for electricity, with some eventually receiving diesel generators. The interior is complete with a galley kitchen with a refrigerator, sink, and electric stovetop. It also features a chemical retention toilet, seating for eight people, large picture windows, and electric lighting. The thick insulated walls and twin kerosene heaters made them perfect for the harsh Canadian winters; inside labels can be found both in French and English. Finally, the cars were equipped with a set of headlights on either end, used to illuminate the track ahead when performing backup moves at night.

The No. 79462 was outshopped in 1971 as Canadian National No. 79462 and entered service on the rear of freight trains throughout Canada. By 1991, vans started to be phased out on most Canadian railroads and replaced by the SBU (sense and braking unit), the Canadian version of the American FRED (flashing rear end device) or EOTD (end of train device).

The No. 79462 was sold to private owners P. Lamson and H. Schueschner in the early 1990s for the development of a restaurant. It arrived at the Danbury Railway Museum in Danbury, Connecticut in 1996 for temporary storage. Luckily, no work was done to the car by the new owners, and ownership of the car was eventually transferred to the museum in 2003 completely intact. However, this Canadian car did not fit the museum’s mission to preserve New England-area railroads and railroad history, and it was eventually earmarked for deaccession.

In September 2026, the No. 79462 was purchased by The Garbely Publishing Company and immediately leased to TOYX for use on the organization’s annual Operation Toy Train toy collection trains as a volunteer support car. The interior, which is almost completely original, is perfect to keep volunteers warm, comfortable, and fed in between the busy collection stops. This car will eventually be moved to TOYX’s Port Jervis Railroad Museum in Port Jervis, New York and will be placed on display and open to the public throughout the year.