Abraham Lincoln (Pullman car) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Business Car No. 101
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Sepia tone image of the Abraham Lincoln passenger car after restoration.
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 Abraham Lincoln
Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | In Bruce, Washington, about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Othello, Washington |
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| Built | 1910 |
| Architect | Pullman Co.; Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad |
| NRHP reference No. | 88000740 |
| Added to NRHP | June 16, 1988 |
The Abraham Lincoln, also known as Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Business Car No. 101, is a very old and special train car. It is the oldest train car in the United States that can still be used. This historic car is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important part of American history.
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The Amazing Abraham Lincoln Train Car
This special train car has a long and interesting history. It was built over 100 years ago and has changed a lot over time. Today, it's a rare example of early 20th-century train technology.
Built for Comfort and Style
In 1910, the Pullman Company built this train car. At first, it was called coach 895. It was made for the Western Pacific Railroad (WP). Back then, it was a large coach with 84 seats. It was one of the most modern steel train cars of its time. This was before World War I, and Pullman cars were the best way to travel.
The Pullman Company was changing how it built train cars. They moved from shorter wooden cars to longer, stronger steel ones. These new cars also had electric lights, which was a big step forward!
From Coach to Business Car
In 1924, coach 895 became train car number 926 for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RG). A few years later, in 1929, the D&RG rebuilt the car. They turned it into a fancy business car for their president. It was renumbered D&RG 101.
This new business car had everything: private rooms, an office, bathrooms, a kitchen, and a dining room. It even had a special observation room to enjoy the views. The car was very heavy and became a symbol of power and importance. It was unveiled just two weeks before the stock market crash of 1929.
The inside of the car was beautiful. It had shiny walnut wood and fancy bronze details. It showed off the best train technology and style from 1910.
A New Life: Retirement and Restoration
In 1964, the D&RG 101 was retired from service. It was sold and later almost scrapped. But in 1983, a man named Mr. Curtis Andrews bought it. He wanted to bring it back to life!
The car was taken to Tucson, Arizona, for a big repair job. Workers fixed it up so it could be used on modern train tracks, like those used by Amtrak. This included getting newer parts for its wheels and a new brake system.
After the repairs, the car traveled to Spokane, Washington. Then it went to Bruce, Washington, a small train stop. This is where it got its new name: the Abraham Lincoln.
Why the Name Abraham Lincoln?
This train car was named in honor of President Abraham Lincoln. It's important not to confuse it with President Lincoln's own private car. That car was used for his funeral in 1865 and was destroyed by fire in 1911. It's a fun coincidence that the D&RG 101 was built 101 years after President Lincoln was born!
The Abraham Lincoln train car is very special. It's one of the oldest working train cars in America. Its careful restoration brought back its elegant look from the 1920s. In 1988, it was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect important historical places and items in the United States.
