Around World War I, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad rebuilt a number of ACF-built wooden coaches into center-door Jim Crow combines for use on local and branch line trains. Most of these cars received a fish belly steel underframe in the process.

Of this fleet, I know of three which survived. One, 665 was painted yellow with a brown roof to be used in conjunction with the equipment from the B&O museum in the movie Raintree County. This was donated to the Kentucky Railway Museum, and along with 4-6-2 number 152 (also from the L&N) and a wooden Monon caboose, served as the genesis of the collection. 665 was later borrowed by the L&N, underwent some modification and changes and used as the traveling companion for ex-W&A 4-4-0 locomotive better known as the General. The car remains tarped at KRM as of today, awaiting the finalization of a restoration plan.

The second car was actually lettered for L&N subsidiary Glasgow Railroad, and served as the basis of the twice-daily runs down the Glasgow branch to the L&N main line. After the end of passenger service on the line, the car was shoved into a siding in Glasgow near the freight station and allowed to rot. It, or what remains of it is still there today. My guess, nothing more than a steel frame, other metal parts and a pair of trucks is all that remains of this car.

The third car is the one I am looking for. It appeared on the cover of one of the early Steam Passenger Directories back in the late 1960s or early 1970s. All I remember from the photo was that it was in black and white, and it was trailing some sort of saddle tank engine.

I remember talking to Dave Lathrop when he was based in Savannah that the same person who owned this car also owned a Central of Georgia car that the roundhouse museum now owns (If I remember correctly).

The car somehow migrated to Canada where it was used at the heritage park in Calgary, Alberta. This operation is better-known for using the twin former USATC 0-6-0 locomotives. I've seen the car in at least one made-for-TV western that was partially filmed at the park.

About ten years ago, the car briefly appeared for sale on D.F. Barnhardt's website. It was still in Canada. That is where the trail goes cold.

Anybody know who originally acquired this car from the L&N? How did it end up in Canada? Where is it now?

This might have been part of Arthur D. LaSalle's collection. I have seen a similar color postcard from his short-lived amusement/museum. His collection was dispersed poorly, and he spoke to me 20 years ago of sadness of the deterioration of the items in various locations.

[quote="wilkinsd"] It was still in Canada. That is where the trail goes cold. quote]

I assume pun was intended?

I wish I could recall the information I dug up about this car several years ago in Savannah. Unfortunately, all the files relating to the railroad cars I was interested in were removed from the RH to the basement storage under the history museum and the last couple things I asked somebody to find were not available.

Let's not confuse this car with the 167(?) partitioned Jim Crow now rotting in Arkansas. That car really needs to be saved. Its history is extremely well documented and its current configuration pefectly reflects the Jim Crow era as it evolved. It was part of the LaSalle collection if i recall correctly as well.

dave

What is the heritage of the car in Arkansas?

Stephen Syfrett can correct me if I recall incorrectly, but I think the car was C of G originally, built (1888?) as a partitioned first class coach with a central smoking compartment, and a seating compartment at either end. One restroom at either end, then worked in Jim Crow configuration across the Alabama line, and had an additional restroom added (with plywood) in each end to comply with Alabama law requiring seperate sex restrooms in both racially segregated seating areas. Sold used to Georgia Northern.

No center side door, or other than passenger compartment. Now at Eureka Springs. Retained one original 3-shank coupler when I saw it several years ago.

dave

Jim Herron just notified me that there may actually be a fourth L&N Jim Crow combine out there.

The one Florida, and the one in Canada may two different cars. The one in Florida was owned by the Jacksonville Chapter of the NRHS, and was in pretty bad shape in 1975. That leaves the one that ended up in Alberta and was for sale a few years ago.

The hunt continues..

Dave is correct concerning the combine in Arkansas. The car is documented in Central of Georgia records as having been built by AC&F in 1905, although this is most likely a rebuild date. It was No. 167 from 1905 until being sold to the Georgia Northern Railway. It is unknown if it was numbered differently prior to then. Dave's assessment of the actual build date may be closer, based on observed construction (by him c. 2002, not by me since I have not had the pleasure of seeing it in person).

I have an interest in this car since it did operate on the Georgia Northern Railway (as their No. 115), and is one of only 2 revenue passener cars still existing that operated on the Georgia Northern. The other (C&WC/Georgia Northern/Alton & Southern No. 38), formerly at MOT, is currently being restored for Thronateeska Heritage Center at the Roundhouse Railroad Museum in Savannah. It will be exhibited with Georgia Northern 4-6-2 No. 107 (ex FEC 88).

Unfortunately, CofGA 167 is deteriorating rapidly and is not likely to survive, although the Roundhouse Railroad Museum is planning to document the car. I wish I could have gotten this car 20 years ago...

Doesn't the SBRHS have a L&N Jim Crow stored in Los Angeles?

KL

nathansixchime wrote, "Doesn't the SBRHS have a L&N Jim Crow stored in Los Angeles?"


Who?

Bytown Railway Society's "Canadian Trackside Guide" lists ex L&N #676 combine (ACF, 1913) as being in Edmonton, Alberta at Fort Edmonton Park.
Here is link to the park's website. There are photos but none of the combine.
http://www.ftedmontonpark.com/index2.htm

Hope this helps

Mike N.

SBRHS - San Benardino Railroad Historical Society, the group behind Santa Fe 4-8-4 3751.

http://www.sbrhs.org/

They have an ex-L&N Jim Crow Combine stored off-site pending restoration work.

KL

This is the one I saw for sale a number of years ago.

I wonder if this is the one which made it to California?

Do you have a number for this combine, or how it ended up in California?

Not off hand. I saw it last summer in storage and yesterday confirmed it was of L&N decent and is a Jim Crow combine.

The group is pretty busy with their Education Outreach Program this week, plus a 40's themed dance on Friday, Rail Festival on Saturday, and a return to homebase Sunday, and I know a member of the group parouses this forum frequently, so they'll be able to relate the facts better than I.

KL

I have been contacted concerning the Canadian ex-L&N combine, and it is apparently in private ownership in central Alberta. As reported earlier, it is ex- L&N 676, originally sold to the Fort Edmonton Historical Association for use at the Fort Edmonton Park in Edmonton, Alberta. FEHA apparently sold it, perhaps back when it was noted as listed by D.F. Barnhardt. The car appears to be in relatively good condition, although based on my recent experience with Charleston & Western Carolina/ Georgia Northern combine No. 38 I have learned that looks can certainly be deceiving.

I was provided a few photos taken October 11, 2007 and will be happy to share them with anyone interested in seeing them. If anyone would like to host them so links can be provided in a post here on RYPN, that would be great. Only one side of the car is seen in the photos, and there are no interior shots, so I cannot comment on the interior condition. There is no indication that the current owner intends to sell or has any interest in selling the car. I am simply passing along info on this car that was "missing". Additional info will be posted as it is received.