Part 3 of our ongoing participation in the Georgia Trust’s Places in Peril program seeking to identify and preserve historic sites, or in our case, equipment, threatened by time and Georgia’s weather. The program in no way reflects poorly on our status or our dedicated crew. It only highlights new opportunities for education, restoration, and historic preservation.
In the heat and humidity of Georgia’s 2024 summer, we hosted a visitor from Chicago’s Pullman Foundation. Blue blazer, white shirt, khaki pants, and not breaking a sweat, he insisted on seeing the Washington Club. Why? It’s the most original, intact Pullman in the nation, according to our guest’s recollection. He even marveled at the car having its original lamp shades while he took it all in.
Our premier-class sleeper was built in 1930 by Pullman. It features 8 sections (seen in the lead photo), has a lounge, kitchen, and sunroom. This car, which sits in the far corner of a train shed, is the sole survivor of 35 Pullman-built club cars with sunrooms. The Washington Club is a heavyweight car with the original floor plan and fixtures. Originally assigned to Union Pacific’s Portland Rose, it was donated to the fledgling Museum in 1961. After being open to the public and the humidity for years, the car’s interior is well worn and in need of upholstery work, paint, carpeting, windows, electric & HVAC, maybe even exterior paint. Though sitting under cover, this educational opportunity remains closed, pending restoration.
For information on how you can help, the benefits of corporate and/or foundation project sponsorships, and how your support could develop career enhancing skills for our volunteers, or how to donate, please write to: execdirector@train-museum.com
(Cover photo: Connor Franklin Leland)
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