Hillsdale Michigan USA - Looking to expand its rail tourism program, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society just added a historic new railroad car to its fleet.
 
The "Riding Mountain Park" car is a unique first-class passenger car, built in 1954 for transcontinental passenger train service on the Canadian Pacific, and will be operating in the Hillsdale area following restoration.
 
"Passenger cars like this were common in the post-war "streamliner" era and usually found on the railroad's most popular or famous routes," said Kelly Lynch, vice president of the society.
 
Lynch said that while the car mostly remains in its original condition, the "observation-lounge-dome car" will require about US$250,000 in mechanical and electrical upgrades and interior restoration and furnishings.
 
"It is in relatively good shape, all things considered," he said.
 
Much of the interior artwork remains intact, which was created by members of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.
 
For 10 years, the car has been sitting in storage at the Adrian & Blissfield Rail Road Company in Blissfield, Michigan, after it was sold to a private owner in 2005.
 
The addition of the new car was made possible by a donor and the society plans to accept donations for the restoration of the car.
 
"A fundraiser has been established to chip away at the overall cost of restoration so that the car may be placed into service sooner," Lynch said.
 
The car is named after the Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba.
 
According to a press release, its design was "partially inspired by the California Zephyr's stainless steel passenger cars in the United States."
 
Only 18 such cars were made.
 
"Its acquisition is a special way to end our 50th Anniversary and mark the beginning of a new chapter," said Wayne York, the society's senior excursion manager.
 
The car arrived on 16 Nov 2022 in New Haven, Indiana, where it will be restored by a group of volunteers and qualified mechanical contractors.
 
Earlier this fall, the society partnered with The Indiana Northeastern Railroad Company and the Little River Railroad to bring hundreds of rail passengers and visitors to Downtown Hillsdale as a part of the Tri-State Scenic Stream Excursion.
 
After restoration, this new car will enter into service as a part of the Indiana Rail Excursion.
 
This new rail tourism program will operate on former Wabash Railroad and New York Central trackage throughout Western Ohio, Northeast Indiana, and Southeast Michigan.
 
"Events and excursions in 2023 will feature historic Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive 765, and other vintage locomotives and historic passenger cars," said the press release.
 
Lynch said the society continues to look for more acquisitions to expand the fleet.
 
"Strategic acquisitions like this will help us increase train capacity and add variety for tourists and citizens," he said.
 
Elyse Apel.