In the winter of 1945 the New York
Central Railroad placed an order with the Pullman Company for 16 sleeper
lounge cars to supplement the NYC's "Great Steel Fleet". Delivered between
July & August of 1948 these luxurious cars served the NYC's famous
passenger trains into the late 1960's. Built to Pullman plan # 4124 and
named in the "Lake" series these cars provided 6 double bedrooms, a small
buffet and a relaxing lounge area for first class passengers. With the
continual decline in passenger traffic the NYC began to remove the cars from
service and various cars were scrapped, converted to commuter bar cars and
sold into private ownership. In 1967 Mr. Ted Church of Erie, Pa bought car #
652 the Mirror Lake and saved the car from the ultimate demise
that many of it's sisters met in the scrap yard. Ted and his wife Sally,
both employees of the NYC, had a passion for the preservation of history and
were active members of the Lake Shore Chapter N.R.H.S. Joining the Lake
Shore Chapter in the mid 1980's I met Ted & Sally and instantly become
fascinated with this couple who owned 14 passenger cars including Mirror
Lake! The Churches fostered my passion for passenger cars and it was
not long until I knew that someday I too would own a car, although I never
dreamed that Mirror Lake would be the 10th! Ted eventually sold Mirror Lake to our mutual friend Bill Fuehring who
feel in love with it. Eventually Bill sold the car and after several
additional owners the car eventually was purchased by Ozark Mountain Railcar.
Journey with us
as we restore and preserve a virtually intact piece of railroad history.
There are not many cars that exist today that are as original as Mirror
Lake. We feel privileged to own a piece of the "Great Steel Fleet" and
honored to continue the vision that Ted & Sally had started so many years
ago.
The restoration of Mirror Lake is dedicated to the memory
of Ted & Sally Church and Bill Fuehring. Three people who not only had a huge
impact on me but also on the industry of railroad preservation. John
Suscheck/CEO Ozark Mountain Railcar
Photo taken from an ad in the Saturday Evening Post for the New York Central December 1, 1951 Mirror Lake's sister car Skanteles Lake. Mirror Lake's sister car Skanteles Lake. Pullman builders photo of the hall Pullman builders photo of the buffet Pullman builders photo of the lounge Pullman builders photo of the lounge Pullman builders photo of the porters area Pullman builders photo of one of the double bedrooms Pullman builders photo of one of the double bedrooms Pullman builders photo of one of the double bedrooms Pullman builders photo of one of the double bedrooms
Photo taken from an ad in the Saturday Evening Post for the New York Central December 1, 1951
 updated
November 04, 2008
30+ years of neglect has taken it's toll on Mirror Lake! We
will need to replace a large portion of side sills and side sheets. Although to
some this may seem to be a negative, the years of neglect are also a plus. The
car was sold right from the New York Central Railroad into private hands. The
several owners over the years basically did nothing to the interior of the car.
Walking into the Mirror Lake is like walking into a time capsule. From the
Pullman carpets
to the original NYC AM Radio
the car is virtually 99% complete and original.
1 of 2 Mohair sofas in lounge Original ice water tap in buffet NYC inter train communication phone 1 of 2 original watch your step signs. One was stolen when the car was shipped to us. Mirror Lake at her former storage location in Hobbs, IN Interior of lounge looking towards "A" end of car. This is stenciled on the bottom of the lounge chairs. Mott Haven was the passenger car shop outside New York City. Buffet end of lounge showing curved paneled wall. The hole above the sofa is for the lounge music speakers. We have the art deco grills covers. Lounge looking towards hall Original NYC A/M radio. Found in a linen locker that has not been opened in 30 yrs. Covers for the speakers in the lounge, this one came from a sister car Big Moose Lake From the days when Mirror Lake was used on steam excursions with the famed GTW steam engine #4070 Complete D/C electrical locker Pullman hall carpet, only 90% was salvageable. The rest along with the bedroom carpets were rotted from water leaking in the car. The roof of the car is in great condition, most of the water has leaked in from the windows down. The original antenna for the A/M radio. The first time the 64v DC lights have been on in at least 30 years. The first time the 64v DC lights have been on in at least 30 years. The first time the 64v DC lights have been on in at least 30 years. Some of the window rot, NYC cars were well known for this. The side sheet has pulled away from the car body The reason NYC car windows leaked, two cork spacers in the windows that eventually rotted letting the window come loose Mirror Lake at her new home on our siding Mirror Lake after NS picked the car up in IN to ship to our siding Mirror Lake being delivered to our siding by the M&NA Railroad One of 3 NYC drink stands we purchased to replace the original ones taken from the car so long ago. All three are identical and have been re-chromed. Some of the lounge cove lights, we were very fortunate all the fixtures were complete with no broken glass.
Original Pullman window shades
1 of 2 Mohair sofas in lounge
Although Mirror Lake is a very complete car there are a few
items we need for the restoration.
End Door Hardware
We need 2 sets of end door exterior push bar. 1 hinged the
left and 1 hinged for the right. Need the push bars, mounting brackets and the
inside door latch. Distance between the push bar mounting brackets is 18".
Thermostat Cover
Need 1-2, measures 5 3/8" x 1 5/8"
Berth Straps
Need 3 for long sofa beds and 3 for short sofa beds
Linen locker lock surrounds
Held on by two screws, covers gap between actual lock and the
metal door, need 2-3.
PULLMAN or NYC brass fire extinguisher
17-18" high, need 1
24" wide window shade
need 1
Pencil lock ring for electric locker door
need 1
2 Grab Irons
Center to center on the bolt holes measures 30", used on
both sides of service loading door
1 Set of decelostats and control valves
1 set of 26-C valves and bracket
Waste drink cup receptacle cover
In the porters area across from the water fountain there is
receptacle built into the wall for the passengers to dispose of the waste drink
cups. The cover is missing, it would have a small square hole to insert the cup
and would hinge upward to empty contents. Cover measures 5 1/4" x 11"
Porters Steps
In the porters area there were 2 half circle steps mounted on
the short wall next to the Porters seat. They were used for the Porter to climb
into his berth. We need 2 of these steps.
Bedroom Tables
Pullman sleepers were always equipped with folding tables that
would mount on the wall beneath the window. This enabled the passenger to play
cards, eat, etc. We need 6 of these tables & the lipped wall
bracket.
Magazine Rack
Several years ago Mirror Lake was being shipped in freight
service and the following magazine rack was stolen from the car.
Round Lounge Tables
At the same time the magazine rack was stolen so was the two
round sofa tables from the lounge.
If you have any of the above items available
for sale or would like to contact us regarding Mirror Lake, please drop us an email or call our office at
417- 336-2401
Email us regarding Mirror Lake
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