Thought the group would find some photographs taken today interesting of the Southern Railway ( business car ) Park in downtown New Orleans interesting. The Southern Railway, constructed this business car park along the New Orleans waterfront, just steps away from the famous New Orleans French Market. The park was complete with decorative lighting, landscaping and pavers and decorative fencing along with standby facilities for the business cars. ( power and water )

This property is inside the flood protection walls ( next to the Mississippi River ) , and the mainline of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad runs in front of it. The park still has a "live" switch into it, yet it appears to my knowledge to have not seen use in some time.

Was curious if any other dedicated business / office car "parks" existed on other railroads ( including the Southern ) . and if any of these parks survive. Certainly Florida had its fair share of business car / private car "parks" at Flagler hotels, however any other locations come to mind ?

The pictures show the "park" in need of attention as it looks a bit "let go"... Wonder what year the Southern put this park in, and it must have been beautiful with the illuminated "southern railway park" on all the old fashion decorative lights..


Dean Levin

"...however any other locations come to mind ?"

Probably the C&O passenger car lay-over tracks at the White Sulphur Springs station, right next to their Greenbrier Hotel & Resort. Business cars and PVs stayed on those tracks (three? I seem to recall, with ground steam lines, etc) many times. And there was a set-out sleeper from NY that was switched onto those tracks each night.

Howard P.

Don't forget about the famed PV tracks at French Lick, IN on the Monon.