North Carolina Transportation Museum held a night photo charter with N&W Class J #611 depicted as pulling into Bristol, VA with the Southern's Tennessean. Inaugurated in 1941, the Tennessean was a joint operation between the Southern Railway and the Norfolk & Western Railway. According to what I have read the train ran from Washington, D.C. to Lynchburg, VA via the Southern and then via the N&W from Lynchburg, VA to Bristol, VA/TN. Eventually the Tennessean terminated in Memphis, TN via the Southern once more. Since the N&W employed the use of their Class Js for the Tennessean among their other passenger trains, #611 would be a perfect fit for the photo charter.
The Seaboard Air Line No. 6604, is a streamlined passenger rail car from the post-World War II era. Built for SAL in 1947, the 85-foot stainless steel rail car features a tavern lounge, a bar, a hidden bedroom for hostesses, and a rounded observation section with swiveling chairs.
The donation comes from the Bluewater Michigan Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. The No. 6604 had been a fixture on the Bluewater chapter’s rail excursions during the past three decades. Most recently the No. 6604 has been in use at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tenn.
The No. 6604 originally served as the rear car on one of Seaboard’s five daily New York City to Florida trains, such as the Silver Meteor and Silver Star. It was also used on the Silver Comet, running between Birmingham, Ala., and New York. Seaboard’s routes served North Carolinians passing through Raleigh, Southern Pines, Hamlet, and Monroe. While not likely to have been pulled by the 611, the car has ties to NC and certainly looks good behind steam again!
Thanks to Michael J. Wilson for some of the history and description.
