These Pennsylvania Railroad cars were used in the 1930s and 1940s to help maintain and repair the electrified catenary lines that were strung over the track on the Northeast Corridor and other branch lines. The flat cars, called “Tower Cars” had elevating scaffolding to allow workers to reach the wires. A “Riding Car,” which was a converted passenger car or self-propelled coach, was also employed with a pantograph to help ensure the lines being worked on were electrically grounded.