Category Archives: New York Central #43
Hudson Limited a trip to Albany on the Hickory Creek – May 3rd & May 4th
In 1948…America was riding high after the end of World War II, and the “streamliner era” was in full swing. The New York Central Railroad unveiled a brand new modernized train set for its famed “20th Century Limited.” It featured all the amenities that any first-class traveler of the day could ask for and was the train was considered the pinnacle of rail transportation at the time. Everyday, its all-private room consist skated along the shore of the Hudson River, beginning with its streamlined E8 diesels and ending with its crown-jewel “lookout lounge” observation car: the Hickory Creek. The car’s raised floor and over-sized windows made for a ride that was unparalleled by any train in the eastern United States. It was only natural that this train earned the name “The most famous train in the world!” The United Railroad Historical Society is offering a select amount of tickets to relive the 20th Century Limited experience in the 21st Century. Today, the Hickory Creek is fully restored and updated to modern Amtrak standards, but still retains the glory is its 1948 appearance inside and out.
On the hind end of Amtrak’s “Empire Service,” Hudson Limited riders will be able to experience the same luxurious accommodations and beautiful view of the Hudson River that riders did in the 40s and 50s. The Hickory Creek was designed especially the view along the NYC’s “Water Level Route” and this is a fortunate opportunity to ride the car on it’s home rails.
Between New York City and Albany, passengers will be served drinks, lunch, and hot hors d’oeuvres at their seat while they watch the breathtaking views of the Hudson River go by at up to 110 miles per hour. Food, as well as beer and wine, will be served to passengers by the URHS volunteer wait staff. All proceeds from tickets go to benefit the preservation of the Hickory Creek as well as the URHS’s historic railroad collection. For $225, you will not only have the chance to relive history, but you can help save it as well.
PLEASE NOTE: Dress code for these trips will be Business Casual, with a sport jacket preferred for gentlemen. All fares include round trip travel, all food and drink served on board.
Price per ticket: $225
| New York City – Albany | ||
| 233 | <-- Train Number --> | 244 |
| 11:20 am | NYC-Penn | 6:50 pm |
| 11:44 am | Yonkers, NY | —— |
| 12:04 pm | Croton Harmon, NY | 5:58 pm |
| 12:43 pm | Poughkeepsie, NY | 5:20 pm |
| 12:57 pm | Rhinecliff, NY | 5:06 pm |
| 1:20 pm | Hudson, NY | 4:45 pm |
| 1:50 pm | Albany-Rensselaer, NY | 4:20 pm |
| ↓Northbound | ↑Southbound | |
NYC Railroad – Hickory Creek
Builder: Pullman Standard Car Manufacturing Co.
Type: 5 Bedroom, Lookout Observation Lounge
Built: August 1948
Original Owner: Pullman Company, Chicago, Illinois
Storage Location: West Boonton Yard, New Jersey
History: This car and was christened on September 15, 1948 in Grand Central Terminal, New York City. General Dwight David Eisenhower officiated the celebration of the New York Central Railroad’s rebuilt ’20th Century Limited’ train entering service between New York City and Chicago, Illinois. During it’s 20 years of service, the Hickory Creek graced the rear end of the “most famous train in the world” and was used in advertisements, promotions, and Hollywood’s finest movies to reflect a standard of excellence in premier rail travel. In 1968, it was retired and sold to Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus. United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey obtained the car in 1991 and contracted Star Trak to rebuild the car to Amtrak standards. Its inaugural trip was run on June 26, 2005 between New York City and Niagara Falls, NY. It is currently available for charter through Luxury Rail Vacations, Inc.
Red Carpet Treatment
In 1902, The New York Central Railroad used plush crimson carpet which was rolled out to welcome passengers to the train in New York for departures only and was specially designed for the 20th Century Limited to direct people as they boarded their train. The 20th Century Limited is believed to be the origin of the phrase “Red Carpet Treatment”. Getting the Red Carpet Treatment” passed into the language from this memorable practice. At left is one of two known remaining sections of that original carpet.
More about The 20th Century Limited http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/225401/print
United Railroad Historical Society of NJ Inc., 104 Morris Avenue, Boonton, NJ 07005-1314 1-862-345-6642 Web page last updated May 11, 2014. ©1987-2014. All rights reserved.
Fall Foliage Excursion Saturday October 19th
Fall Foliage Excursion
Come ride in classic style aboard these historic cars from NYC to Albany & back on Saturday October 19th
Tickets — $175 each to ride one car on the trip to Albany and the other on the return trip. $150 each for the New York Central Tavern-Lounge #43
Hickory Creek
NYC Tavern Lounge #43
NY Central Hickory Creek NYC to Albany from Mark Forman on Vimeo.
NY Central Hickory Creek NYC to Albany. from Mark Forman
All pictures of the Hickory Creek and the NYC Tavern Lounge #43 on this page will enlarge when clicked. Go for it!
PLEASE NOTE: Dress code for these trips will be Business Casual, with a sport jacket preferred for gentlemen. All fares include lunch & afternoon Hors D’oeuvres. A limited number of tickets will be sold!
We will be selling two ride types for this trip:
- Ride in BOTH the Hickory Creek and NYC #43 combo tickets for $175 each (ride one way in each car)
- Ride in NYC #43 ONLY tickets for $150.
ALSO NOTE: if you buy a ticket for the NYC #43 you will be able to visit the Hickory Creek, you will not have a chance to stay and sit in the Hickory Creek but you are welcome to come back and visit. You will have your seat reserved in the 43.
New York Central # 43
Builder: Budd Company, Type: Lounge, Built: 1947, Original Owner: New York Central Railroad, No. 43, Storage Location: Boonton, NJ. History: One of 13 Tavern Lounge cars (Numbers 35 to 47) utilized over the New York Central fleet of long distance trains. After the Penn Central merger in 1965, the 43 was renumbered (#4443) and served on many trains between New York and Washington DC. Upon the formation of Conrail in April 1976 the car was assigned to the North Jersey Coast Line service operated by Conrail and later, NJ Transit. It was retired in 1987 and New Jersey Transit donated it to the URHS of NJ museum collection in 1991. It suffered extreme vandalism while in storage, but has now been completely restored to it’s “as-built” configuration and ran its first trip as an Amtrak certified car from New York to Washington and back on January 9, 2010 and again on January 13, 2010. It is currently available for charter by Luxury Rail Vacations Inc
NYC – Hickory Creek
Builder: Pullman Standard Car Manufacturing Company, Type: 5 Bedroom, Lookout Observation Lounge, Built: August 1948, Original Owner: Pullman Company, Storage Location: Boonton, NJ. History: This car and was christened on September 15, 1948 in Grand Central Terminal, New York City. General Dwight David Eisenhower officiated the celebration of the New York Central Railroad’s rebuilt ’20th Century Limited’ train entering service between New York City and Chicago, Illinois. During it’s 20 years of service, the Hickory Creek graced the rear end of the “most famous train in the world” and was used in advertisements, promotions, and Hollywood’s finest movies to reflect a standard of excellence in premier rail travel. In 1968, it was retired and sold to Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus. United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey obtained the car in 1991 and contracted Star Trak to rebuild the car to Amtrak standards. Its inaugural trip was run on June 26, 2005 between New York City and Niagara Falls, NY. It is currently available for charter through Luxury Rail Vacations, Inc.