Frisco Coach 1062 glistens in the sun after undergoing a cosmetic restoration back to its appearance as it was delivered to the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in May 1968.
In September of 1910, the American Car & Foundry Company completed construction of No. 1062, one of twelve 60-seat coaches numbered 1052 through 1063, lot No. 5522. In April and May of 1942, 60-seat coach No. 1062 was modernized in the Springfield shops for operation in the Firefly’s consist. New seats, lighting, and an air-conditioning system was added. The new air-conditioning changed the appearance of the car, as a new turtleback roof replaced the original clerestory roof to accommodate air ductwork in the ceiling. Mounted underneath the car was a Waukesha Ice Engine, which was a refrigeration system utilizing a compressor supplemented with a water chiller powered by a propane engine. Skirting was added to make the car appear more streamlined, and the blue-and-silver paint scheme was applied. Frisco advertised the modernized heavyweight cars in the Firefly consist as “heavier than ordinary streamliners ... resulting in smoother riding.” It is still known to be the smoothest riding car the museum operates today.
Once the car was donated to the Heart of Dixie Chapter NRHS, the car was restored to run in excursion service with the Southern Steam Program and its revenue helped sustain the Heart of Dixie Railroad NRHS Chapter which would later develop a museum in Calera, Alabama. In many ways, the 1062 is a large reason the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum is in existence today!
Currently the car operates as an "open air car" on weekend excursions at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum and is a favorite to car hosts and passengers alike.
Our hope is to have the Frisco 1062 riding passengers for generations to come!
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