These boxcars are robust, simple heavily built objects.  It has been some years since I saw the inside of a 40&8, but I would expect rough, unfinished wood. In service blocking would be nailed to the floor and sides. Depending on expected visitor count, and as long as you are not worried about vandalism (poetical vandalism would change the “rules”), I would consider leaving the walls as rough wood, and would have the visitor walk directly on the cars floor.  We have an wooden boxcar at our site which is accessible to visitors.  We probably have 30,000 people inside the car a year.  We have seen no significant wear (beyond what occurred when the car was in service) on the floor or walls in the 6 years the car has been on display.



I applaud you for allowing the visitor inside.  A core story about these cars is the idea that 40 solders would be carried inside.  The crowding would have been terrible. (It would have been much worse 20 some years later during the Holocaust, when similar cars were used to transport twice or more prisoners being sent to concentration camps) The rough wood siding is a significant part of the experience.  Plexiglas sheeting would change the "feel" of the car, and effect the visitor experience.



You might consider a clear flat finish simply to keep dust down, and make clean up easier.



Someone previously mentioned the Nevada Railroad Museum.  They restored the Nevada Merci car 3 years ago, including recreating the shield graphics.  They would be able to answer questions concerning the cars and possibly supply artwork for the shields.



Randy Hees

Patterson House at Ardenwood Farm

Fremont, California