Classic of the Century...The 20th Century, as in New York Central's renowned "20th Century Limited". From 1902 to 1967, this train was the flagship of NYC's extensive passenger service, and the car pictured here was a major part of that heritage.
This is observation-lounge "New York" gracing the tail end of the "American Orient Express" cruise train departing Portland, Ore. Union Station on a trip down the West Coast.
This classic Pullman was born as sleeper-lounge-observation "Sandy Creek" in 1948 for what turned out to be the final re-equipping of the "Century".
Its high-windowed "lookout lounge" provided views matched by few other passenger cars. Fortunately for us railfans, both it and sister car "Hickory Creek" have survived into the 21st Century. The latter was restored to its original 1948 NYC two-tone grey livery and is currently in charter service out of New Jersey.
After the demise of AOE and its short-lived successor, American Railway Explorer, the "New York" was acquired by Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman and painted in the classic N&W Tuscan Red color scheme, which it continues to wear today along with its original name.
Photographed by Thomas McCann, May 3, 1999.
Added to the photo archive by Thomas McCann, December 6, 2006.
Railroad: American Orient Express.
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