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ROCHESTER, NEW YORK — As part of an ongoing investment in its new rail tourism program, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has acquired seven passenger cars from the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum (RGVRM) in Rochester, New York. Once part of the New York Central Railroad’s famous “Great Steel Fleet” of passenger trains, the collection is now destined to regularly appear behind restored steam and diesel locomotives from the 1940s and 50s.

Built in 1941 for use on the Empire State Express, a flagship first-class passenger train of the New York Central, the cars will operate over former New York Central trackage in Indiana and Michigan. Restoration of the fleet is estimated to cost over 1.2 million dollars, with plans to fund the work through donations, grants, and ongoing ticket sales over the next several ensuing years. The organization’s first goal is to raise $160,000 in order to place one coach in service in 2024. A capital campaign has been launched at greatsteelfleet.org.

“This acquisition will ensure we have a dedicated fleet of our own equipment for both the Indiana Rail Experience and future steam excursions around the country and helps strengthen our business model,” said Joe Knapke, President of the Fort Wayne Railroad. “Rochester’s care and stewardship in preserving this equipment through the years means that the cars will be enjoyed by thousands of people every year.”

The streamlined Empire State Express operated between New York City, Detroit, and Cleveland, and each of the preserved cars debuted in the inaugural run on December 7th, 1941 – only hours before the attack on Pearl Harbor. In later years, they were rebuilt for commuter service. Six cars from the fleet were acquired by the Rochester Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society in 1987 and made part of their growing museum collection where it was later joined by a railway post office car to complete the set. Refurbished by volunteers, the cars were used for a series of seasonal fall foliage excursions operated in the region through the 1990s and early 2000s, with the most recent trip taking place in 2019.

“These cars were state of the art when introduced and are beautiful examples of innovative, stainless steel construction during a period of optimism and investment in passenger rail,” said Otto Vondrak, president of RGVRM. “These lightweight, stainless steel cars set the standard for a generation of the traveling public. The Budd Company built these cars to last and they are destined for a bright future,” detailed Vondrak.

Over the next several years, the cars will undergo modernization of their mechanical, heating, and electric systems and additional work will update restrooms and seating. Two cars are likely candidates for conversion into first-class cars dining or parlor cars inspired by the New York Central’s original designs. The acquisition of the equipment was partially funded by a grant from the David A. Donoho Trust and the Central Indiana Foundation.



Click here for photos and the full press release.

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@RickO posted:

Now to find that hudson that's hiding in a barn somewhere.😉

Found it in Eddie G.'s barn.

Yeah, 765 will probably do an excellent job no doubt. We got to get that Hudson out of Eddie G.'s barn though to make this officially a NYC Train.

All joking aside(I wasn't), it looks like they got their work cut out for them. I wonder how long it is going to take to get all the cars fully restored?

Besides 765, are there any other steam engines there?



Click for a summary on 624
:

Our crews have evaluated the 624 for restoration and have found it a suitable candidate for a complete overhaul to operation, though no timeline for one has been established. The 624 is stored off-site at a private facility with rail access and a restoration is pending the construction of a facility for rehabilitation and a feasibility study for fundraising.

Last edited by nathansixchime
@Robert K posted:

They will most likely never return to NY state because the 765 only operates excursions on class II freight railroads and tourist railroads now.

Robert,

Never?  As in from now to eternity?

You're clearly not an optimist.

Having ridden behind and followed many excursions throughout the country since 1975, and thus coming to know what patience really means, I'll agree that it's definitely not likely.

As much as such patience is required in our hobby of 'O' gauge railroading, much, much more is required if your hobby is riding or following these kinds of special trains.

Those of us who do accept what little we get with great thanks for the effort it takes, and the barriers that are overcome for each one of these events to take place.

However, I also don't think 'never' is a good word to use.

My glass is half-full on this one.

Mike

Well, NS shows no signs of starting a third steam program any time soon where they will allow the 765, 611, etc. to operate public excursions on their tracks again. NS is more concerned now with those derailments like in eastern Ohio and being profitable. At least NS is still willing to help the 765 and 611 get to other railroads where they can operate excursions for the public. And, 765 and 611 would need PTC gear in the cab in order to lead on a class 1 railroad like NS. That wasn't required during the Sept. 2011-May 2017 NS excursions. 765 just got cab signals in order to run over the ex-PRR into PA in 2012 and 2013.

Last edited by Robert K

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