1905 Passenger Coach

The car was built in 1905 by the American Car & Foundry Company, who also built the same model for David Moffat’s railroad. We are still working on the restoration; however, you may enter the empty car.

The 1905 Central Vermont Passenger Car was transported from Rhode Island and arrived at the Moffat Road Railroad Museum in June 2012. We are very thankful to have come across the opportunity to restore this passenger car through Ozark Mountain Railcar and its private owner. If you would like to help get this project underway by donating resources, please contact Dave Naples at 970-509-9894 or email [email protected].

About The 1905 Passenger Coach

This car was one of several similarly designed cars for use in a single first class train of the period. The car, formerly No. 382, is the sole survivor of the series, having outlasted its sisters through demotion to work train service and use as a rider car with the wreck train. The car was built in 1905 by the American Car & Foundry Company, who also built the same model for David Moffat’s railroad. The car weighs 80,000 lbs. and is 90′ long. The trucks (wheels) are wood-cast and steel and weigh 16,200 pounds!

The Car’s Features

The car has a wood body and a steel under frame with truss rods. Windows are paired with a single arched pane spanning each pair of operable sash. All operable sash have storm windows. The car has a vented but enclosed clerestory, and open vestibules, which were originally closed, the original vestibule doors having long since disappeared. Most of the car remains intact including its inlaid mahogany paneling, smoking compartment and toilet compartments at each end. A single corner lavatory with its faucets and piping remains of the original plumbing fixtures.

Other original fixtures in the car include brass wire luggage racks, brass window hardware, two mirrors and a few match-striking pads in the smoking compartment. Although two upholstered walkover seats came with the car, it is doubtful that either of these is original to the car, but may be of an even earlier period as both have wooden seat frames.

The car rides on its original six-wheel wood beam passenger trucks and still maintains its original draft gear and couplers. The car is equipped with air brakes.

1905 Coach Restoration

It will cost approximately $30,000 for restoration. If you would like to volunteer your time and/or donate to the project, we would be very grateful. To allocate your donation to this project specifically, please mention the 1905 Coach Project in the optional ‘Write a note’ section in the donation form.

Restoration Before Acquired

Exterior restoration work completed includes:

1. residing of the exterior with tongue and groove red cedar siding
2. replacement of most window sills with a non-rotting tropical hardwood
3. new storm sash
4. temporary enclosure of the clerestory using plywood and aluminum vents
5. approximately 80% of the *B* end vestibule has been rebuilt.

The B end was considered to be in the better condition of the two ends, thereby providing the most intact pieces for replication and measurement. New specially made pieces were replicated using mahogany to replace the rotted wood at both ends of the car. These pieces will be sold with the car along with oak timbers used to replace the end sills and crash posts.

Refinishing of the woodwork in the central third of the car’s interior has also been done. With some tender loving care, this car will make a great museum piece.

Its Journey in the News

Check out the articles written about the arrival of the 1905 Passenger Coach:
• Denver Post: “1905 passenger rail car rolls into Granby to new home”
• Sky-Hi News: “Rare passenger coach arrives in Granby”