Rolling Stock Collections

The observation car "Central Park" was built by Pullman in September 1925, 1 of 20 such cars using "Central" in their double names. Built to Pullman plan 3959 as an observation/lounge/sleeper combination, the car was used on the New York Central in service on the famed "20th Century Limited." It is the last known Pullman - NYC heavyweight of its type to exist in its original configuration: 3-compartments, 2-drawing rooms, and lounge/observation. In 1936 an ice air conditioning system was added to the car. Pullman sold the "Central Park" in June 1955 to deep south shortline Chattahoochee Valley Railway, which used it as an office car for the textile-hauling railroad. The car was later sold to Penn Central, which along with successor Conrail used it for business trips, excursions, and special events. Eventually the "Central Park" was donated to the Lake Shore Railway Museum, which restored the observation lounge in 2006.