Traveling Home For The Holidays. The United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey (URHS) recently announced that their three former New York Central (NYC) cars would be periodically visiting Grand Central Terminal throughout December as part of the MTA Metro-North Railroad Employee Holiday Train. Photos posted by the group indicate that they will be joined by MNR 1 (née-Lackawana, Phoebe Snow observation car) and MNR 3 (née-New York Central, Empire State Express coach). These three cars operated for the NYC, with lightning-striped observation car "Hickory Creek" holding the markers on the 20th Century Limited for many years. The MNR Holiday Train travels around the system delivering gifts and snacks to yards and shops at various times and is not open to the public. But on this day, November 3, 2024, the URHS was operating its last weekend of its ticketed Hudson River Rail Excursions for the year, seen here traveling on Amtrak Train 233 as it passes the matching New York Central Philipse Manor Station surrounded by very colorful foliage. Unlike other railroads that would reduce service on the holidays, the New York Central was famous for operating and extensively marketing all kinds of "getaway" and extra service to transport its passengers home.
URHS New York Central cars:
NYC 43 (URHX 800411, tavern/lounge)
Swift Stream (URHX 800460, slpr/lounge)
Hickory Creek (URHX 800733, slpr/lounge/obs)
