A freight car by Bill Schopp for his Rancocas Valley RR?

Auction for a Bill Schopp freight car?

First off I must thank Galen for alerting me to this online auction. After studying it a bit, and a little discussion, we agreed that this was most likely a freight car built by Bill Schopp for his Rancocas Valley RR, which I discussed here awhile back. 

Mr. Schopp's Rancocas Valley RR appears to have been built and active from 1940 to around 1947, and based on a visual inspection of the auction's photos that's where this car lands as it looks similar to the kits and scratchbuilds from that time. Also, the hand lettering, complex RR name, and paint are other telling features. Unfortunately the car isn't signed, so we can't be 100% certain of its provenance.

I suspect the vendor didn't know this was a Bill Schopp item because no mention of its possible heritage was mentioned in the product description. It just contained the usual Buyer Beware note.

I made an attempt to buy it, but quickly learned that a relentless bidding algorithm was countering my bids, and that I was going to have to exceed my budget to win, so it did not become a new acquisition of the 30Squares Museum.

No big deal. I'm glad this item has survived this long. What a journey it has been on: created in the 1940s for a layout in New Jersey and ending up for sale in Kentucky in 2023. And, who knows where its new owner is located. Not to mention it looks in pretty good condition. It's all quite amazing. There must be a story in there somewhere. 

To the buyer: You've got an amazing find. 

To the vendor: Do you have other similar Bill Schopp artefacts in your warehouse? I hope you do.