All,

I am curious about the current condition of this SAL business car. Last I heard, the car was in French Lick, Indiana at the Indiana Railroad Museum. A search of the Passenger Car Photo Index reveals a 2011 photo of the car, looking somewhat forlorn.

After searching Google and the other "usual suspects" I cannot find much, if any additional information about the car. I am looking for someone with some information that goes beyond what one can find on the Internet. My inquiry is as follows:

1. Was this car part of of the Pullman "Explorer" series? If so, what was its name?
2. What is the present interior layout of the car? As built, Pullman Plan 3972 had 5 bedrooms, A through E. It appears as if many of the surviving cars from this series had at least one bedroom removed.
3. Has anyone seen the interior condition of the car recently?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

thought a few members of the forum might want to see some current photographs of the Jacksonville... It, the Erie 1 and the Quickstep (NKP 3 ) rust in French Lick. ( along with at least another dozen cars )


Dean

Dean -

Thanks for the photos of SAL business car "Jacksonville". Do you (or anybody else) know if this car, and business cars Erie Railroad #1 and Nickel Plate Road #3, are privately owned?

I should also report that Monon business car #2 ("Lynne") has joined the group of business cars there in French Lick. The Lynne is owned by the Monon Railroad Historical-Technical Society, which recently had the car donated to the Society by the heirs of the cars former owner.

Les

Up for sale at The Indiana Railway Museum in French Lick. Pullman business car "Jacksonville"! ex-Original Pullman Name "Pioneer" also ex-PV "Friendship". The Jacksonville was one of 11 cars built, Built on floor plan 3972, Lot 6037. It has 5 Private Rooms, 2 Baths, 1 Dinning Room and 1 Observation Room. If interested call Rick Olsen 812-936-2626 or 812-788-0811 or email rolsen@indianarailwaymuseum.org or at this website for more information http://www.ozarkmountainrailcar.com/detail.asp?id=2143 Thank you.

I put up this question to the late Dean Levin (or anyone) back in February of 2012 and never received a reply. Tonight, was looking for something else on the internet and found out that Erie #1 has been purchased, and is being restored. Not sure who the new owner is, except that he apparently is not from Indiana! Anyway, here is his facebook page if anyone wants any additional info:

https://www.facebook.com/ErieBusinessCar1/

In finding this out, I also found out something about a two bay hopper car there at French Lick, and yes, I'll be updating THAT old thread too!

Les

I am the owner of Erie 1. And you are correct, I do not live in Indiana, although I did spend nearly 10 years there. I am from Western New York.

I am in the process of getting the car railworthy (roller bearings and brakes primarily) then I plan to move it back to New York where it will be used similarly to NKP 1 on either a museum or tourist operation. Maybe as funding permits, Amtrak certification will follow, but that is a long way off.

If you want to know more, please feel free to contact me through the Erie Business Car facebook page that Les shared, or my email chris@costellomfg.com

Chris Costello