While I can't verify it was that particular car, I can verify that we had a concession/food car on board named the E.M. Frimbo that looked a lot like that one. A former diner, one end was the kitchen portion where we did food sales and the other end was use for souvineers.

It was owned by Howie Samelson, who owned a shop called Broadway Limited. Where the car ended up is a mystery to me, but that location sounds reasonable enough.

If that is indeed the Frimbo, I rode many a mile in that car. I helped out on engine crew while we were stopped, and worked concessions while we were on the move.

Does anyone recognize this car from steam excursion service? Photographed in 2009. From some angles, you can see the old billboard "SOUTHERN" lettering underneath the current black paint and small extended-roman lettering. It had to be part of the program, but in what way?

On the Freedom Train we used a gondola car full of coal to carry our supply with us during part of the trip. They wanted good quality coal so they sourced it specifically rather than locally. It was easier to unload from the top with a clamshell than to try and dump from a normal hopper, and deal with the "Once you open that door, it STAYS open...."

I think they may have done the same thing on the Chessie Steam Special, though we didn't put in it the consist, it probably just got switched out in locals etc.

Could this have been used for the same purpose?

Hayneshopcat: In response to your question. YES, everything that was salvageable from the cars was saved before they we scrapped.
Bill

I have one of those itineraries for the steam special from tour 32, Cleveland, Ohio to Willard, Ohio and return. The E.M. Frimbo was the snack-souvenir car on this trip. It says: rebuilt 1978 from Railroad Passenger Cars Inc., 38 seat coach/food bar, rebuilt in 1967 from Baltimore and Ohio 42 seat coach 3850, built in 1948 by the Baltimore and Ohio, Mt. Claire Shops. Car is owned by Steam Special Souvenirs, Ltd. The date of the trip is August 19. No year is after the date, but the copyright is 1978 so I am assuming that might be the year.

I too worked aboard the Frimbo for a few trips in those years. I was good friends with Howie S. and his wife Suzanne when they were putting the car together and operating it on the 2101 Chessie trips. I would work the grille and such, with the stipulation that when the train stopped for a photo-runby, I was off the car, no matter how many people were in line for hot dogs!

Ah, the memories of early-morning pick-ups of many dozens of donuts in Baltimore, and of once having the late-arriving donuts handed up on the fly as 2101 threaded her way out of Camden Station-- I watched from the dutch door as one bag tore open and scattered donuts along the track. And late-night provisioning for trips out of Grant Street in Pittsburgh, obtaining frozen cases of that local delicacy from the Isaly Company: Klondike Bars!

There was a young guy who handled the photo lines at runbys; megaphone, jacket & tie, glasses... Ron Goldfeder, that was you, right?

After the 614 trips finished up in 1981, Howie and Suzanne basically left E.M. Frimbo in Huntington; I recall something about some work that was needed on the car, and they had no more real use for it, as mainline trips had ended in the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast regions with 614's last runs (at that time).

They closed the Broadway Limited store and publishing operation about 1985-86.

Howard P.

Howard, I remember Howie and his wife from working on the Bicentennial trips out of Alexandria in 1976, where they ran the souvenir concession. I liked him and his wife, thought they were very nice people. "Uncle Jim" Bistline seemed to think a lot of him. Somehow, though, he managed to get on Bill Purdie's bad side. I remember "The Boss" normally refering to him as "that no good worthless blankety-blank Yankee".......

I have seen photos of a gon trailing the consist on a SR steam trip (complete with drumhead on the back!) I think TVRM may have used it on a very early trip to Crossville (1968?) Maybe that is the car?

Wasn't a gon used in the early SR/TVRM trip using K&T 10, dressed up as SR (NO&NE) 6910?

I also have vivid memories of the Chessie Steam Special and Howie and Suzann Samuelson (I hope I spelled their name right). I did get involved in organizing some photo lines on the trips out of Baltimore as part of the organizing group, but there were others as well. My most vivid memory is working with them making trip souvenir buttons to sell on the last legs of the trip from Oakland to Portland. They were going so fast that Howie needed help keeping up with demand. When I met the train as it arrived in Oakland it looked awful, with black, greasy smoke smeared all over the loco and first few cars. It turned out that when the train entered the tunnel out of San Luis Obispo going up grade and working hard it steamed many, many years of diesel exhaust off the roof of the tunnel and this swirling cloud covered everything in sight until the engine, tenders and a few cars passed. The next day it was all washed off but what a sight.

Now THAT brought back a memory, thought not a good one... :)

I had been part of engine crew on the Freedom Train and so had some experience, but I was still a young buck, so my work typically involved things like filling the tender, helping load coal, cleaning out the ash pan etc.

On one of the Pittsburgh trips I spent most of the previous day scrubbing down the 2101 and both tenders until they shined, taking special care not to damage the lettering and mural on the tender. (BTW, that drove my old man nuts "You won't wash the car, but you'll wash a TRAIN!?!")

She looked great on the morning of the trip, shining in the sun, colors nice and bright, and I do mean bright, after all this was, to quote Jim Boyd "A T-hog in a leisure suit".

We head out of town towards somewhere West of Pittsburgh, and I'm looking forward to the first photo runby.

Well, we head out from Grant Street, follow the river for a bit, "enjoying" the fragance of the coke mill, and then turn left to head west. Up the grade she goes and into the 3,000 foot long Schenley tunnel. Ross is working her hard, and the tunnel has years of diesel soot on the roof.

As we come out the other end into the daylight I look forward and groan... I could have taken the previous day off, and the engine wouldn't look any different at this point. Well, at least it toned down the gaudy colors a bit and gave her an "in service" look. Ugh!

Ron, I'm pretty sure it was spelled without the "u", (though of course frequently mis-spelled since "Samuelson" is such a common name.)

This article about the E.M. Frimbo in the New Yorker spells it Samelson.
http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1978/0 ... _000323834

Here's the list from equipment from the old NS/SOU old steam excursion program that I put together from pictures and videos

Norfolk Southern Passenger Car Fleet

Number Railroad Type Name Ownership

Business Fleet Equipment
01 SOU Observation Virginia Norfolk Southern
02 (1A) SOU Sleeper Carolina Norfolk Southern
03 (500) N&W Observation Claytor Lake Norfolk Southern
04 CR (NYC) Observation Michigan Norfolk Southern
05 CR (PRR) Observation Maryland Norfolk Southern
06 (02) SOU Observation Atlanta Norfolk Southern
07 (05) CR (PRR) Observation Pennsylvania Norfolk Southern
08 (05) SOU Observation Tennessee Norfolk Southern
09 (15) SOU Sleeper Alabama Norfolk Southern
11 (16) SOU Sleeper Illinois Norfolk Southern
12 (491) N&W (NKP) Sleeper Indiana Norfolk Southern
13 (18) SOU Sleeper/GYM Georgia Norfolk Southern
18 N&W Diner Gen. William Mahone Norfolk Southern
19 (494) N&W Lounge Kentucky Norfolk Southern
20 (07) SOU Observation Ohio Norfolk Southern
21 (08) SOU Observation West Virginia Norfolk Southern
23 (19) SOU Theatre Buena Vista Norfolk Southern
24 (553) CR (ATSF) Full Dome Delaware Norfolk Southern
26 (27) CR (NYC) Coach New York Norfolk Southern
27 (24) SOU Baggage Exhibit Car Norfolk Southern
30 SOU (CG) Observation Marco Polo Norfolk Southern
40 (50) CR Boxcar Generator Norfolk Southern
41 (515346)N&W Boxcar Generator Norfolk Southern

Special Rail Equipment
31 SOU Observation Research Norfolk Southern
32 SOU Observation Research Norfolk Southern
33 N&W Observation Research Norfolk Southern
34 (9921) N&W Slug Unit Research Norfolk Southern
36 (21) CR Observation Research Norfolk Southern
37 (24) CR Combination Research Norfolk Southern
38 (1620) NS Slug Unit Research Norfolk Southern
48 (50) SOU Caboose Research Norfolk Southern
49 N&W Caboose Research Norfolk Southern
50 N&W Boxcar Research Norfolk Southern
55 N&W Caboose Research Norfolk Southern
402 N&W (WAB) Baggage Safety Instruction Mad River NKP Mus.
404 N&W (WAB) Boxcar Power Car N.C Transportation
406 N&W (WAB) Boxcar Power Car Tennessee Central
410 N&W (WAB) Boxcar Power Car Fremont Valley Rail
418 N&W (WAB) Lounge Safety Instruction Virginia Transportation

Steam Excursion Equipment – Locomotive Equipment (Tool Cars)
25 N&W (WAB) Baggage -------------------- Norfolk Southern
701 N&W (USA) Baggage-K --------------------- Ft. Wayne Historical
710 N&W (CNR) Baggage --------------------- Ft. Wayne Historical
1407 N&W Baggage --------------------- NRHS Roanoke
1701 (361) C&O (PM) Bunk --------------------- Steam Railroad Institute
6565 PRR Mail U.S. Mail-RPO Indiana Transportation
9647 N&W (CNR) Baggage --------------------- Virginia Transportation

Steam Excursion Equipment – Norfolk Southern, Ex-Regular Equipment
28 (501) NS (N&W) Coach Powhatan Arrow Norfolk Southern
29 (532) NS (N&W) Coach Powhatan Arrow Norfolk Southern
39 (1003) NS (ATSF) Baggage Generator Norfolk Southern
536 N&W Lounge Powhatan Arrow Great Smoky Mountain
540 N&W Coach Powhatan Arrow Western Maryland
726 SOU (CG) Combination Man “O” War Western Maryland
841 SOU Coach Royal Palm Great Smoky Mountain
842**** SOU Coach Southerner ---------------------
843 SOU Coach Crescent New York & Greenwood
844 SOU Coach Crescent Western Maryland
845 SOU Coach Tennessean Kentucky RR Museum

Steam Excursion Equipment – NRHS, Regular Equipment
206 (554) SOU (BN) Baggage --------------------- Blueridge Scenic Railroad
512 N&W Coach Powhatan Arrow NRHS Roanoke
537 N&W Coach Powhatan Arrow NRHS Roanoke
538 N&W Coach Powhatan Arrow NRHS Roanoke
539 N&W Coach Powhatan Arrow NRHS Watauga Valley
662 SOU (CG) Coach --------------------- NRHS Southeastern
676 SOU (GN) Baggage Commissary NRHS North Florida
1148 (1220) N&W (GN) Diner Devils Lake NRHS Roanoke
1827 N&W (WAB) Coach Pocahontas Monticello Railroad Mus.
1829*** N&W (WAB) Coach Pocahontas NRHS Roanoke
2202 N&W (IC) Vista Dome Heart Of Dixie NRHS Dixie
3305 N&W (IC) Observation Mardi Gras NRHS Roanoke

Steam Excursion Equipment – NRHS, Extra Equipment
98 B&O Observation Eden Isle NRHS Tenn. Valley
400 ACL Diner Moultrie NRHS Watauga Valley
500 FEC Diner Clinchfield NRHS Watauga Valley
531 N&W Coach Powhatan Arrow NRHS Tenn. Valley
661 SOU (CG) Coach ---------------------- NRHS Tenn. Valley
906 (528) SOU (CG) Coach ---------------------- NRHS Tenn. Valley
907 (543) SOU (CG) Coach ---------------------- NRHS Tenn. Valley
899 GTW Diner Silver Lake NRHS Bluewater
706 RF&P Coach ---------------------- NRHS Old Dominion
1006 N&W (SOU) Coach ---------------------- NRHS Old Dominion
1037 SOU Coach ---------------------- NRHS Tenn. Valley
1850 C&O Vista Dome Moonlight Dome NRHS Promontory
2931 ATSF Coach ---------------------- NRHS Dixie
3158 SOU Diner Traveler’s Fare NRHS Tenn. Valley
4527 SOU Baggage Commissary NRHS Dixie
6604 SEA Observation Global Star IV NRHS Bluewater
9486 (22) CNR (NYC) Combination Haverstraw Bay NRHS Bluewater

Steam Excursion Equipment – Tourist & Private Equipment
07 N&W (NKP) Lounge Kitchi Gammi Club Virginia Rail Corp
53 MILW Full Dome Super Dome North Star Rail Inc.
58 MILW Full Dome Super Dome Railway Exposition Co.
113 C&O (PM) Lounge Eagle Canon South Branch Valley
200 (7002) N&W (UP) Vista Dome Roanoke Kansas City Southern
257 ATSF Observation-F -------------------- --------------------
277 SOU (D&H) Combination -------------------- Coyahoga Southern
549 ATSF Coach Pomona Blue Ridge Scenic
715 MILW (NKP) Coach Buckeye Trail Austin & Texas Central
716 MILW (DL&W) Coach Buckeye Lake Austin & Texas Central
965 C&O Diner Gadsbys Tavern South Branch Valley
1062 SLSF Coach ---------------------- NRHS Dixie
1231 ------- Lounge -------------------- Railroad Power Leasing
1903 C&O Lounge Chessie Club South Branch Valley
2209 SOU Coach New River Valley Iager & Southern
3477 ----- Coach Atlanta Railcar Railroad Power Leasing
5417 NPR Coach Frank L. Kerr Orrville Hist. Rail Club
4802 GTW (UP) Coach -------------------- Tennessee Central
4804 GTW (UP) Coach -------------------- Great Lakes Central
4806 GTW (UP) Coach City Of Huron Tennessee Central
6106 SEA Diner New River Gorge St. Louis Car Company
7003 NYC (UP) Vista Dome Charter Club Charter Wire Company
9401 N&W Lounge Pocahontas Iager & Southern

Steam Excursion Equipment – Norfolk & Western Railway, Ex-Regular Equipment
535 N&W Coach Powhatan Arrow

Steam Excursion Equipment – Southern Railway, Ex-Regular Equipment
534 SOU Baggage ---------------------- NRHS Greensboro
905 SOU (CG) Coach ---------------------- MacGregor Collection
1035** SOU Coach ---------------------- Norfolk Southern
1038** SOU Coach ---------------------- Norfolk Southern
1044** SOU Coach ---------------------- Norfolk Southern
1046** SOU Coach ---------------------- Norfolk Southern
1056* SOU Observation Lookout Mountain Norfolk Southern
1067** SOU Coach ---------------------- Norfolk Southern
1068** SOU Coach ---------------------- Norfolk Southern
1081** SOU Coach ---------------------- Norfolk Southern
1086** SOU Coach ---------------------- Norfolk Southern
1087** SOU Coach ---------------------- Norfolk Southern
1069* SOU Coach Missionary Ridge Norfolk Southern
1070 SOU Coach W. Graham Claytor Jr. Virginia Transportation
2422 SOU Sleeper Lake Pearl Virginia Transportation
3659** SOU (CNOTP) Coach ---------------------- Norfolk Southern
4061* SOU Baggage Queen & Crescent Club Norfolk Southern

Private Varnish Equipment
101 N&W Observation Blue Ridge Morristown & Erie
208 N&W Observation Lamberts Point North Star Rail Inc.
300 GEO Observation ------------------ -----------------

Caboose Equipment
555019 N&W Caboose ------------------ Norfolk Southern
555024 N&W Caboose ------------------ Norfolk Southern
555062 N&W Caboose ------------------ Norfolk Southern
555069 N&W Caboose ------------------ Norfolk Southern
555098 N&W Caboose ------------------ Norfolk Southern

Notes
* Destroyed/Scrapped In 1986 Excursion Accident
** Put Into MOW Service 1986 Post Excursion Accident
*** Destroyed/Scrapped In 1994 Yard Accident

Enjoy! ^_^
**** New Ownership

It'd be interesting to learn the current disposition of these coaches.

You can ask Mr. Andrews the next time you see him -- he knows. I can tell you this, the 1067 thru the 3659 did not go to MofW service. 1038 did and it is in Oak Ridge currently. 1035 is in Andersonville, GA I believe. 1046 is in New Orleans (if it didn't get washed away). Absent my notes, I think 1044 became an office car. Also, there were other single vestibule modernized heavyweights that were used in the excursions but are not on the above list.