Hi,

I'm new here.

I know that Lincoln had a train that I believe he never rode in except for his funeral. I also know that Jackson was the first president to ride a train.

My question, was Lincoln the first president to have his own rail car?

Thanks.

Dave V.

It has been debated whether the car "United States" built by the US Military RR Shops in Alexandria was specifically for use by President Lincoln, or just an official government car. Presidents after that made use of cars loaned by railroads or other owners up until the rebuilding of the "Ferdinand Magellan" by Pullman for use by Franklin Roosevelt as the official Presidential Car.

At the risk of paraphrasing William Jefferson Clinton, "It depends on what your definition of 'own rail car' is." The United States has never had an "official" "Railroad One" in the manner that ther is an Air Force One or Britain has an official Royal Train fleet.

I would refer you to Bill Withers' excellent book "The President Travels By Train" for all the details on the ins and outs of Presidential rail travel, though it's a little out of date by now.....