Parlor Car 3: Restored for Passenger Service

Описание: UPGRADED PARLOR “CAR 3” RETURNS FOR PASSENGER SERVICE IN 2023!

HISTORY & RECENT RESTORATION PROCESS

Pullman First-Class Parlor Car 3 has been a favorite of both RBMN’s management teams and riders since its release in 2015.

Keeping with many of RBMN’s coach and locomotive historical choices for specialty service, Car 3 was built in the 1920s and was owned by the Gulf Mobile & Northern Railroad (GM&N). GM&N debuted in 1917 after reorganization of the New Orleans, Mobile, and Chicago Railroad.

The railroad serviced Mobile, Alabama to Jackson, Tennessee until 1938 until a merger of GM&N and the Mobile & Ohio Railroad rebranding as the “Gulf Mobile and Ohio Railroad” (GM&O). Car 3 was not the only significant acquisition from the GM&N/O lines. Our iconic, “425” steam engine was another piece of rail history RBMN restored and has since been available for special Passenger excursions.

RBMN acquired the vintage first-class Pullman coach, later to be renamed as “Car 3” c. 1990. However, the coach would be stored along RBMN’s siding (e.g. a side track) for almost 25 years prior to renovations and restoration. As RBMN’s Passenger services and interest for different excursions grew, it was a natural evolution to consider various ridership options to serve the needs, desires, and budgets for all to enjoy RBMN’s railroad.

In 2014, Mr. and Mrs. Muller (RBMN’s owners) picked the future Car 3 with the vision of the coach redefining expectations of what “first-class passenger trips” were in the minds of established railroads, historians, and rail enthusiasts.

Mrs. Muller singularly designed the car’s interior while painstakingly searching for vintage 1910-1920s period pieces of furniture, decorum, and design. Utilizing a style known as “Art Deco”, a splash of Victorian era touches, and coupled with classic turn-of-the-century techniques such as filigree with nods to the artists and architecture of the movements, Mrs. Muller’s vision came to life spectacularly much to the delight of everyone who has ridden along RBMN’s line in Car 3.

In only one year, Car 3 was ready for its initial journey for special trips during Fall Foliage along the stunning Lehigh Gorge in Jim Thorpe, PA via RBMN’s Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (LGSRY); it was an immediate sensation. After some time, Car 3’s Passenger services were temporarily held due to required maintenance on its wheels and springs (suspension).

However, Car 3 evolved into the perfect “office space” for occasional management and special meetings to the delight of the staff. It was parked just outside of RBMN’s Port Clinton headquarters until repairs could be prioritized. In November of 2022, the order was given, and the Parlor Car was fixed in our own Reading and Northern Shops by our expert mechanical team over a period of weeks. In total, over $46,000.00 was spent on the wheel work.

As a result, riding in this car as a Passenger will be a one-of-a-kind and rare experience you will not want to miss.

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS

Look towards our social media channels for immediate updates!
Tickets are planned to be available in MAY.

FACEBOOK

RBMN Passenger:   / rbmnpassenger  
LGSRY:   / lehighgorgescenicrailway  

WEBSITES

RBMN Passenger: https://www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/
LGSRY: https://www.lgsry.com/
TICKET OFFICE: 610-562-2102

#rbmn #trains #restoration