TCRX 103

Built in 1950 by the Budd Company, this car started out in life as Southern Pacific No. 9012, a sleeper with 10 roomettes and 6 double bedrooms for transcontinental streamliners like the Sunset Limited. As the demand for overnight rail travel lessened thru the 60s, 9012 would wind up at the Pickens Railroad in 1966, where its Jones Properties rebuilt it into an office car, complete with an open observation deck, and the name, “Edna II.” In this form, the car was used extensively by comedian/actor Jackie Gleason (The Honeymooners, Smokey and the Bandit), for commuting between New York City and Fort Lauderdale, FL for his TV show in the 1960s and 70s. Following its time in the limelight, the car was used briefly as an office car for the Auto Train until that company folded in 1981. After languishing on a siding in Florida for several years, a TCRM member purchased the car and had it brought to Nashville, where the rechristened 103 underwent a thorough interior restoration. Fully restored and functioning better than ever, this car marks the end of our excursion train consist from time to time.