Freedom Train Pullman Car GLEN FEE The GLEN FEE was the next-to-the-last car on the train, and it survives to this day. In 2022, the Galveston Railroad Museum restored the car to its Freedom Train appearance - just in time for the 75th Anniversary of the train. Image: John Mireles 2022
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Pullman lettering adds a reminder of the car's full heritage. Image: John Mireles 2022 |
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The car was built in 1926 by Pullman as a 6-3 sleeper to plan 3523-A, lot 4970, car code 2789. It served on the 20th Century Limited for the New York Central before and after the run of the Freedom Train. In 1952 it was repainted for Eisehhower's campaign train. It ended its service for the NYC in about 1963. In the decades since it left the NYC it has passed through several hands. Image: John Mireles 2022 |
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First, the car went to Private Railroad Cars, Inc. (Jack Ferris) in 1965. Then to the Graham County Railroad - Bear Creek Scenic Railway in Robbinsville, North Carolina. Later to the Oregon, Pacific & Eastern in 1972 for use at their Railroad Town USA static display in Roseburg, OR. In 1978 it went to the Moody Foundation for the Galveston Island Railroad Museum (now the Galveston Railroad Museum) in Galveston, TX where it remains to this day. Image: Bob's Photo. |
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The Glen Fee at the Galveston Railroad Museum in Galveston, TX. (This is the opposite side of the car from what is shown above.) It isn't visible in this shot, but there is a Carnival cruise ship tied up parallel to the Glen Fee, barely a hundred yards out of frame. Surprisingly, the salt air has not been too hard on the car. (Hurricane Ike in 2008 was another matter.) Image: Todd Schannuth. May 2007. |
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Evidence of the car's Freedom Train heritage is scarce. Here, some white paint shows under the blue paint on the car end. Image: Todd Schannuth. May 2007. |
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Patched holes where the gold eagles were attached to the center of both sides of the Glen Fee (see image at top of page). Image: Todd Schannuth. May 2007. |
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Journal boxes are dated 1947. Image: Todd Schannuth. May 2007. |
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According to the museum, after the Freedom Train the Glen Fee served on the New York Central's 20th Century Limited until 1963. Image: Todd Schannuth. May 2007. |
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| Image: Todd Schannuth. May 2007. |  |
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Some of the collection of the Galveston Railroad Museum, part of the Center for Transportation and Commerce. Cruise ships to the left, beach straight ahead. Image: Todd Schannuth. May 2007. |
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