NASHUA, N.H. — The Flying Yankee Association preservation group has been selected by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation as the purchaser of the historic Budd articulated streamliner Flying Yankee, the virtual duplicate of Burlington’s Pioneer Zephyr that has been owned by the state since 1996.
The non-profit group announced its selection at its annual meeting on Saturday, April 6. Selection follows a process that began in fall 2023 with a Request for Proposals [see “State of New Hampshire seeks to sell …,” Trains News Wire, Nov. 5, 2023]. That request called for the train’s relocation from its current location at the Hobo Railroad, the heritage line in Lincoln, N.H., purchased last year by Patriot Rail [see “Patriot Rail acquires New Hampshire tourist railroads,” News Wire, Aug. 22, 2023]. It also encouraged the train’s restoration.
“We are both honored and thrilled to be receiving this historic train from the state,” Brian LaPlant, President of the FYA, said in a press release. “The Flying Yankee has languished for far too long, and we look forward to preserving, relocating, and restoring the train, thanks to the state, as well as our friends, partners, and supporters that will help make this dream become a reality. A beautiful piece of New England history has been saved today.”
The three-car train, built in 1935 for the Boston & Maine Railroad, operated on various New England routes until its retirement in 1957, then was displayed at the Edaville Railroad tourist line for 36 years. On-again, off-again restoration efforts began in 1993.
The association is scheduled to meet with state officials later this month to finalize transfer details, after which the state’s Executive council will approve those details and council ownership. LaPlant anticipates that will happen during summer 2024.
More information on the Flying Yankee Association is available on its website, Facebook page, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.
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