Built in 1927 by the Pullman Company as business car #5 for the New York Central Railroad. and assigned to Vice President R. D. Starbuck. In 1931 the car became NYC #9 as newer business cars were delivered. Ownership of the car transferred to Penn Central after the New York Central & Pennsylvania Railroad merger and it became Conrail #4. In 1980 the car was sold to Raymond Rich, who was Chairman of the Board of U.S. Filter Corporation and purchased controlling interest in the Main Central Railroad. The car was sent to the Boston & Maine Railroad's Billerica shops in 1982 to be rebuilt as the private car for Mr. Rich and it was renamed Eagle-Bay. Story has it that Mrs. Rich was not enthusiastic about the car and it was sold to Bert Smith of St. Petersburg, FL in 1984. Bert and his wife spent the next several years making adjustments to the car, including redecorating the interior and removal of the former secretaries room to make a large observation lounge. The end result was a car with a light and elegant interior and a new kitchen. They renamed the car Edward Randolph Godfrey and painted it in Pennsylvania Railroad Tuscan red. In 1999 Bert passed away and the car was sold once again to Mike Carr. Mike rebuilt the car, renamed it "America" and repainted it into New York Central two tone gray. Two more owners and several years have passed and now #5 is available once again for sale.
As you board the car from the observation platform you enter a spacious lounge furnished with overstuffed chairs and an entertainment center and wet bar. If this room was reconfigured by removing the entertainment center you could easily seat 14+ in this room, making America a perfect car for private car charters. Next to the lounge is a Compartment "A" that sleeps two in upper and lower berths and it has a closet, dresser, sink and toilet. The next room is a connecting (with Master Room) restroom with stainless shower, this room also has a sink and toilet. The Master Room has a double lower bed, dresser, closet and wall mounted TV. From the Master Room you can exit back into the hall and the next room is Compartment "B" which sleeps two in an upper and lower berth, this room also is equipped with a closet, sink and toilet. The next room is the formal dining room, seating eight passengers in elegant surroundings that include a crystal chandelier and a stunning custom wood table. From the dining room you enter the service hall which takes you past the crew room (sleeps two) and a large kitchen.
The America's mechanical details include: Excellent body and roof, excellent end and side sills, APEE 5.5 x 10 bearings, truck mounted cylinders, comp shoes, OSSH trucks, CS couplers, holding tanks, Microphor toilets, 26-C brake vales, full Head End Power, 27-pin & MU lines, great wheels, freeze protection, rubber diaphragms, marker lights, large water tank, Stadco generator (low hours), electric heat, Amtrak "A" clearance.
