Built in 1911 as a wood car for the Illinois Central as a business car, rebuilt by the IC when they installed a steel under carriage, updated trucks and sheathed the car in steel side sheets and roof. Retired in the 1970's and sold into private ownership and moved to the Crab Orchard & Egyptian Railroad in southern Illinois. The car was used as residence by the former owner on railroad property until the 1990's when the car was sold and moved to private storage. As you enter the car from the observation platform you enter a wood paneled observation lounge. From the lounge you enter the hall and pass by state room with a lower berth, sink, toilet and wardrobe. Next is another identical state room except it has a connecting shower/bath that connects to the master stateroom. The master room has a full size bed, dresser, wardrobe and storage. Next to the master room is dining room with original china buffet and a lower berth and storage cabinets. From the dining room you enter the service hallway which takes you to the crew room, kitchen and the end of the car. Some of the mechanical details of the car include: steel underframe, steel sides and roof, oil bearings, good body, sharon couplers, steam heat, good wheels, cast shoes, original air conditioning, UC brake valves, last COT&S date was 12/22/05, body mounted cylinders, original interior, original DC electrical system, hot water boiler for floor heat.
This car cannot operate on the a mainline railroad or Amtrak. It would however be an excellent car for a shortline, dinner train or tourist operation.
