While Santa Express train riders could not appreciate all the Christmas lights on P&L 1590 as those trains ran in daylight, those who rode the "Journey to the North Pole" charter trains did, as those trains left Lincoln Station after sunset.

The 103 Car (Determination) was used for both the Santa Trains (Premiere Class) and Journey to the North Pole Trains (Premium Class). Riders got to experience sitting in the "Living Room on Steel Wheels" with comfy couch seats and limited space for 48 people in a coach built by Pullman in 1954 for Canadian National. It was sold to the Bangor & Aroostoock, which rebuilt it to an "Office Car" for railroad execs & guests. P&L bought it in the early 2000's. In the Winter of 2023, Patriot Rail, new owners of the P&L, undertook a full restoration of the 103 car, adding new carpet, comfy seating for 48 (50 in a pinch) , and painted the car from blue to red. The 103 was used on local service on the Winnipesaukee Scenic RR during the summer & fall months.. It's key benefit in those warm months, the only car with Air Conditioning!!

P&L 1590 was built new for Reading RR in 1973. Probably one of a very few SW1001's pulling and pushing a passenger train. It wound up with Conrail, Norfolk Southern, sold to leasing company, the CIT Group, and has been on this railroad since the fall of 2015. 1590 was repainted in the P&L colors in the winter of 2021.

Photographed by Jay Gadon, December 21, 2025.
Added to the photo archive by Jay Gadon, December 27, 2025.
Railroad: Hobo Railroad.

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