CHICAGO — For what has become an annual tradition, three privately-owned railcars will be front and center during Pullman Railroad Days this Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, at Pullman National Historic Park. The historic equipment — two of Pullman heritage and one from American Car & Foundry Co. — will be on display at the 111th Street/Pullman Metra Station for tours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
SuitsMe was built in 1928 by Pullman as a heavyweight for the president of the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad. When inspecting the car upon delivery, railroad president Perry Todd exclaimed, “It suits me!” The car was then sold to Vermont’s Plymouth & Lincoln Railroad in 2003, where it officially retained its SuitsMe name.
Since its completion by Pullman in 1953, business car Promontory Point has hopscotched through multiple owners following its beginnings as a sleeper on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad. It’s now owned by Bob Owen.
American Car & Foundry Menzies Vista rolled out in 1955 as a blunt-end dome lounge car for the Union Pacific Railroad’s City of St. Louis. Its ownership carousel would include Amtrak, the American Orient Express, and the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad before being purchased by Robert Menzies of the Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway in 2011.
Additional programs and exhibits are to be expected during the weekend in a partnership with the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners, Metra, CTA, the Illinois Railway Museum, and more. Additional information and tickets can be found at the Pullman National Historic Park website.
Chicago’s national park is calling; so, go and experience the golden age of railroad travel in America! Viva The Fourth Annual Pullman Railroad Days!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün