Long Island Rail Road
Lightweight Parlor Cars

A New York tradition. All seats reserved. Premium fare. Premium service. An exclusive club on wheels. The Cannonball to Montauk. The Shelter Island Express to Greenport. The most relaxing and enjoyable way to travel between New York City and the east end of Long Island. The biggest heavyiest rolling bar in the Empire State on any Friday afternoon in the summertime.

As the decade of the 1960s draw to a close, LIRR upgrades this venerable institution with lightweight equipment from other railroads downsizing their fleet of long distance trains: Baltimore & Ohio - Erie Lackawanna - Florida East Coast - Kansas City Southern - New Haven - Pennsylvania, and Union Pacific. As the 1960s "Age of Aquarius" gives way to the disco era of the 1970s, LIRR offers their parlor car passengers the privacy of traditional Pullman accomodations (roomettes, bedrooms, compartments, and drawing rooms) - surely a wonderful boon for those passengers with thoughts of romance on the rails in mind!


The re-equipped Cannonball rolls westward past Roslyn Road crossing in Mineola.
Tavern-lounge-observation APAQUOGUE is on the rear.
Photo/scan by Richard Glueck

 

Number Name Class History Disposition
2000 BUS Built by Pullman Standard in 1950 as as 5 double bedroom buffet lounge observation car Chesapeake & Ohio 2502 TIDEWATER CLUB. Acquired by Baltimore & Ohio in 1951; redesignated B&O 7500 NAPPANEE. Assigned to the Capitol Limited. Acquired by LIRR in October 1968. Redesignated LIRR 2000 MORRIS PARK in 1976 after conversion to push-pull capability. Modified for use as tunnel clearance car in 1990. Retired by LIRR and sold to Roanoke Valley Central Railway in Salem VA circa 1999. Acquired by Blue Ridge Rail Restorations and stored in Salem VA. October 2008: Car has been moved and is in Romney WV on South Branch Valley RR / Potomac Eagle Scenic Railway.
2048 MANHASSET P80B Built by Pullman Standard in 1948 as 14 roomette 4 double bedroom sleeper Kansas City Southern JOB EDSON. Acquired by LIRR in September 1968. Retired 1975. Sold to Tuman Demolition Company; scraped 1976.
2049 MASSAPEQUA P80B Built by Pullman Standard in 1948 as 14 roomette 4 double bedroom sleeper Kansas City Southern LEONOR LOREE. Acquired by LIRR in September 1968. Retired 1975. Sold to Tuman Demolition Company; scraped 1976.
2050 MASTIC P80B Built by Pullman Standard in 1948 as 14 roomette 4 double bedroom sleeper Kansas City Southern WILLIAM EDENBORN. Acquired by LIRR in September 1968. Retired 1975. Sold to Tuman Demolition Company; scraped 1976.
2051 PANTIGO P80A Built by Pullman Standard in 1940 as 6 double bedroom buffet lounge car Pennsylvania 8140 SPRUCE FALLS. Acquired by LIRR in September 1968. Retired 1975. Presumed scrapped.
2052 PATCHOGUE P80A Built by Pullman Standard in 1940 as 6 double bedroom buffet lounge car Pennsylvana 8135 JUNIPER FALLS. Acquired by LIRR in September 1968. Retired 1975. Presumed scrapped.
2053 PECONIC P80A Built by Pullman Standard in 1940 as 6 double bedroom buffet lounge car Pennsylvania 8133 HEMLOCK FALLS. Acquired by LIRR in September 1968. Retired 1976. Acquired by The Museum of Transportation, St Louis, MO. As of July 2002, the husband of a museum official reports this car is not at the museum. As of August 2009, the CEO of Ozark Mountain Railcar reports the car is stored in a small town about thirty minutes from Columbus MS. The car is in very poor material condition and the interior has been stripped of much of the original fittings and furniture. Final disposition: cut up for scrap, November 2009.
2054 PONQUOGUE P80A Built by Pullman Standard in 1940 as 6 double bedroom buffet lounge car Pennsylvania 8137 MAPLE FALLS. Acquired by LIRR in September 1968. Retired 1976. Sold to Railroad Passenger Cars (RRP) of Baltimore MD in 1980. Believed used in Chessie System Safety Special steam excursions. Observed stored in derelict condition in yard at Hagerstown MD in 1987. Presumed scrapped.
2055 WANTAGH P80A Built by Pullman Standard in 1939 as 4 double bedroom 4 compartment 2 drawing room sleeper Pennsylvania 8019 IMPERIAL VIEW. Acquired by LIRR in September 1968. Retired 1975. Presumed scrapped.
2056 WAUWEPEX P80A Built by Pullman Standard in 1939 as 4 double bedroom 4 compartment 2 drawing room sleeper Pennsylvania 8009 IMPERIAL LAWN. Acquired by LIRR in September 1968. Retired 1975. Presumed scrapped.
2057 WICKAPOGUE P80A Built by Pullman Standard in 1939 as 4 double bedroom 4 compartment 2 drawing room sleeper Pennsylvania 8010 IMPERIAL MANTLE. Acquired by LIRR in September 1968. Retired 1975. Presumed scrapped.
2058 WUNNEWETA P80A Built by Pullman Standard in 1939 as 4 double bedroom 4 compartment 2 drawing room sleeper Pennsylvania 8013 IMPERIAL PATH. Acquired by LIRR in September 1968. Retired 1975. Presumed scrapped.
2059 NAPEAGUE P80A Built by Pullman Standard in 1939 as 13 double bedroom sleeper Pennsylvania 8002 HAMILTON COUNTY. Acquired by LIRR in October 1968. Retired 1975. Presumed scrapped.
2060 NESCONSET P80A Built by Pullman Standard in 1939 as 13 double bedroom sleeper Pennsylvania 8003 JEFFERSON COUNTY. Acquired by LIRR in October 1968. Retired 1975. Presumed scrapped.
2061 NOYACK P80A Built by Pullman Standard in 1939 as 13 double bedroom sleeper Pennsylvania 8004 LAKE COUNTY. Acquired by LIRR in October 1968. Retired 1975. Presumed scrapped.
2062 WYANDANCH P80A Built by Pullman Standard in 1939 as 4 double bedroom 4 compartment 2 drawing room sleeper Pennsylvania 8018 IMPERIAL TRAIL. Acquired by LIRR in October 1968. Retired 1975. Presumed scrapped.
2063 POQUOTT P80A Built by Pullman Standard in 1939 as 6 double bedroom buffet lounge car Pennsylvania 8139 PINE FALLS. Acquired by LIRR in October 1968. Retired 1976. Sold to Naporano Iron and Metal Company for scrap in 1977. Acquired by Don Jilson in 1978 and stored on the Ontario Midland Railway in NY. Donated to Rochester Chapter NRHS in 1985; on display at their Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum in Industry, NY. Additional information and photos available here.
2064 APAQUOGUE BUS Built by Budd in 1947 as tavern lounge observation Florida East Coast LAKE OKEECHOBEE. Acquired by LIRR in December 1968. Retired 1975. Sold 1976. Stored at Kansas City Railway Museum. Stored at Railway Museum of Greater Cincinnati in Covington, KY.
2065 MATTINICOCK P80E Built by Pullman Standard in late 1949 or early 1950 as 14 roomette 4 double bedroom sleeper New Haven 512 MANOMET POINT. Acquired by LIRR in August 1969. Retired 1975. Presumed scrapped.
2066 MATTITUCK P80E Built by Pullman Standard in late 1949 or early 1950 as 14 roomette 4 double bedroom sleeper New Haven 520 RACE POINT. Acquired by LIRR in August 1969. Retired 1975. Sold to Tuman Demolition Company in 1977. Left LIRR property 1978. Stored at Railway Museum of Greater Cincinnati in in Covington, KY. (MAR 2010) Reportedly car will be offered for sale.
2067 MECOX P80E Built by Pullman Standard in late 1949 or early 1950 as 14 roomette 4 double bedroom sleeper New Haven 525 STRATFORD POINT. Acquired by LIRR in August 1969. Retired 1976. Sold to Naporano Iron and Metal Company for scrap in 1977. Acquired by Mike Meade and stored at Whippany NJ. Acquired by Geoffey Knees in April 1980. Stored in New Milford CT from January 1981 to 1998. Stored at Danbury Railway Museum since 1998. Current owner has removed 14 roomettes and 2 double bedrooms, converting car to a variation on a sleeper-lounge plan. Additional information.
2068 MERRICK P80E Built by Pullman Standard in late 1949 or early 1950 as 14 roomette 4 double bedroom sleeper New Haven 503 CITY POINT. Acquired by LIRR in August 1969. Retired 1975. Presumed scrapped.
2069 MINEOLA P80E Built by Pullman Standard in late 1949 or early 1950 as 14 roomette 4 double bedroom sleeper New Haven 518 POND POINT. Acquired by LIRR in August 1969. Retired 1975. Acquired in 1976 or 1977 by Ringling Brothers for their circus train. Scrapped May 1991.
2070 MONTAUK P80E Built by Pullman Standard in late 1949 or early 1950 as 14 roomette 4 double bedroom sleeper New Haven 506 GOSHEN POINT. Acquired by LIRR in August 1969. Retired 1975. Presumed scrapped.
2071 MORICHES P80E Built by Pullman Standard in late 1949 or early 1950 as 14 roomette 4 double bedroom sleeper New Haven 509 LONG POINT. Acquired by LIRR in August 1969. Retired 1976. Sold to Naporano Iron and Metal Company for scrap in 1977.
2072 TACKAPAUSHA P80F Built by American Car & Foundry in 1949 as club lounge car Union Pacific 6207 PAYETTE RIVER. Name removed from car in early 1956. Remodeled by UP from club lounge car to lounge car at Omaha in 1959; barber shop and valet areas converted into card rooms. Acquired by LIRR in August 1969. Repainted in LIRR colors, but using UP can number 6207. Received LIRR name for 1971 summer season parlor service. Retired 1976 or 1977. Sold to Naporano Iron and Metal Company in 1977. Presumed scrapped.
2073 TUCKAHOE P80F Built by American Car & Foundry in 1949 as club lounge car Union Pacific 6208 WEBER RIVER. Name removed from car in early 1956. Remodeled by UP from club lounge car to lounge car at Omaha in 1959; barber shop and valet areas converted into card rooms. Acquired by LIRR in August 1969. Repainted in LIRR colors, but using UP can number 6208. Received LIRR name for 1971 summer season parlor service. Retired 1979. Stored on LIRR property until November 24, 1984; disposition unknown. Presumed scrapped.
2074 SAGAPONACK P80E Built by Pullman Standard in late 1954 or early 1955 as 6 roomette 6 section 4 double bedroom sleeper New Haven 532 NANTASKET BEACH. Acquired by LIRR in September 1969. Not used in revenue service. Stored as parts source at LIRR Morris Park Shops. Retired 1974. Presumed scrapped.
2075 SAGTIKOS P80E Built by Pullman Standard in late 1954 or early 1955 as 6 roomette 6 section 4 double bedroom sleeper New Haven 536 MONUMENT BEACH. Acquired by LIRR in September 1969. Retired 1975. Acquired in 1976 or 1977 by Ringling Brothers for their circus train. Initially numbered 243, later remunered 461. Ringling Brothers records note this car was sold to Dan Behr, but Dan says he owns the former SPEONK (ROCKY NECK BEACH) which he acquired from Ringling Brothers. Photographed stored at Cleveland OH in July 2015. Owned by Omni Midwest OMNX (not by Midwest Railway Preservation Society), but using CTVX (Cleveland Terminal & Valley Railway, Inc) reporting marks as CTVX 461.
2076 SALONGA P80E Built by Pullman Standard in late 1954 or early 1955 as 6 roomette 6 section 4 double bedroom sleeper New Haven 527 BAILEY'S BEACH. Acquired by LIRR in September 1969. Retired 1975. Sold to Tuman Demolition Company for scrap in 1976. Resold to Delaware Otsego System in 1977; renamed LAKE WALLENPAUPACK. Several subsequent private owners. Scrapped in Los Angeles area approximately 1993-1994.
2077 SEBONAC P80E Built by Pullman Standard in late 1954 or early 1955 as 6 roomette 6 section 4 double bedroom sleeper New Haven 529 GROVE BEACH. Acquired by LIRR in September 1969. Retired 1975. Sold to Tuman Dmolition Company for scrap in 1976. Acquired by Bob & Hope Rendleman in 1976. Converted to private business car; renamed TRIVIA II. Moved to vicinity of Ann Arbor, MI and used as a residence; later moved to Silver Spring, MD and used as part time residence. Acquired by Classic Rail Cars in early 1990s. Used as stationary business car at New Freedom, PA. San Luis & Rio Grande 104. July 2016: Ken Bitten reports this car was sold "a few years ago." The current owner Daniel Chromeck is storing it on a shortline in western New Jersey.
2078 SETAUKET P80E Built by Pullman Standard in late 1954 or early 1955 as 6 roomette 6 section 4 double bedroom sleeper New Haven 531 MATUNUCK BEACH. Acquired by LIRR in September 1969. Retired 1975. Presumed scrapped.
2079 SHINNECOCK P80E Built by Pullman Standard in late 1954 or early 1955 as 6 roomette 6 section 4 double bedroom sleeper New Haven 528 CRESCENT BEACH. Acquired by LIRR in September 1969. Retired 1975. Presumed scrapped.
2080 SPEONK P80E Built by Pullman Standard in late 1954 or early 1955 as 6 roomette 6 section 4 double bedroom sleeper New Haven 535 ROCKY NECK BEACH. Acquired by LIRR in September 1969. Retired 1975. Dan Behr says he acquired this car from Ringling Brothers.
2081 AQUEBOGUE P80G Built by Budd in 1949 as tavern lounge observation DL&W 789 for the Phoebe Snow. Acquired by LIRR in July 1970. Used as commuter club car SOUTH SHORE , June 1976 to November 1977, without being officially renamed. Retired 1979. Transferred to Conrail's Metropolitan Region in January 1981. Transferred to MetroNorth Commuter Railroad in 1983. Rebuilt as Metro-North RR business car 1.
2082 ASHAROKEN P80G Built by Budd in 1949 as tavern lounge observation DL&W 790 for the Phoebe Snow. Acquired by LIRR in July 1970. Retired 1979. Transferred to Conrail's Metropolitan Region in January 1981. Transferred to MetroNorth Commuter Railroad in 1983. Rebuilt as Metro-North RR business car 2.

 

The primary reference sources for this roster table are:

(1) "The Pullman Project" database by Thomas C. Madden. An authoritative online reference on Pullman cars derived from countless hours of research into Pullman Company records now in the collection of the Newberry Library in Chicago IL..

(2) "The Route of the Weekend Chief", by Mike Boland, published in the Autumn 1995 issue of The Keystone (journal of the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society). Copy provided by Ed Frye.

(3) "Steel Cars of the Sunrise Trail", a roster compiled by E. M. Koehler, Jr. sometime in the 1970s. Copy provided by Tim Darnell.

(4) "Car Names, Numbers and Consists", edited by Robert J. Wayner, published 1972 by Wayner Publications.

I am seeking disposition information for the majority of these cars. Many of them were probably scrapped after they were retired by LIRR.

In approximately 1987, I saw one of the former PRR six double bedroom buffet lounge cars, in poor overall condition (broken windows, some undercar equipment removed, interior vandalized, etc.), at the railroad yard in Hagerstown, Maryland. I think it was LIRR 2054 PONQUOGUE, but I am not certain of the memory. The car may have been used in the Chessie Safety (steam) specials when owned by RRP of Baltimore.

In the early 1990s, I saw a former NH 14-4 sleeper at the Maryland Midland Railway's shop in Union Bridge, Maryland; at the time they were a subcontractor for Lake Erie Railcar and were doing heavy truck overhauls on Ringling Brothers' circus train passenger cars. However, a website with information on Ringling Brothers' circus train does not show any of these former NH/LIRR cars on a 1999 roster.

In addition to the above cars which were purchased, LIRR leased New Haven "STATE" series six double bedroom buffet lounge cars for parlor car service during the 1968 (and possibly also the 1966 and 1967) season; follow this link for some photos.


Sunday, May 17, 1970: A LIRR fan trip special excursion train prior to departure from Greenport. ALCO C-420 locomotive 224 is on the head end, trailed by tavern-lounge-observation APAQUOGUE; bedroom-lounge-observation AMAGANSETT is on the rear end for the westbound trip. The other 4 cars appear to be (left to right) a NH sleeper, a PRR sleeper, a NH sleeper and a UP club lounge, all assembled from the LIRR's recently acquired fleet of cars assigned to parlor car service.
Photo/scan from the Steve Hoskins collection.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1567502

Its Friday evening, June 16, 1972 and LIRR train 16, The Cannonball, is arriving at Westhampton after the long non-stop run from Jamaica. The first car behind Alco C-420 locomotive 228 is a former PRR "FALLS" series lightweight six double bedroom buffet lounge car. LIRR acquired five of these cars from PRR in 1968 for parlor car service.
Photo by Marty Bernard

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1567492

Its Friday evening, June 16, 1972 and LIRR train 22 is arriving at Westhampton after the long non-stop run from Jamaica. The last car in the consist is a former PRR "IMPERIAL" series lightweight four double bedroom four compartment two drawing sleeper. Note the red flag attached to the rear gate as a rear end marker. LIRR acquired five of these cars from PRR in 1968 for parlor car service.
Photo by Marty Bernard


Locomotive 275 leads train 18 thru Center Moriches on the way to Montauk on Friday evening July 21, 1978.
Parlor car TUCKAHOE is bracketed between parlor cars AQUEBOGUE and ASHAROKEN at the front of the consist.
Photo/scan by Ed Frye.

Updated on 11/29/2018