The Luxury Abroad the Pearl (Southern #2422)

Welcome back railfans to another exciting tour of VMT's railyard! On today's tour, we show you the Pullman luxury aboard the Southern Lake Pearl!






The Lake Pearl, built by Pullman in the 10-2-1 configuration. Meaning it has 10 sections, one drawing room, and two private rooms. I truthfully do not know to much about this car, other then it is Southern, and that it was possibly built near or around the 40's or 50's. Also, if anyone has any info on it, please share, for I do not know much about this car!

Now on to the pictures!



<- Door heading into the car, her number and name proudly painted on the door.

This photo, shows the first view into the car, taken towards the hall way. ->

<- View of the 'drinking fountain' water was dispensed under the tank in that bronzeish colored area.

So that is where the porter has been this entire time! (Just kidding) View of the call system ->

<- This is the frist view into the male restroom

Other view into the male Restroom (I apologize for the light) ->

<- Sign in the male restroom

View of the main corridor, my flash is reflecting off the Room C mirror.->

<- View of one of the sections, once again, i apologize for the light, check the next photo for a better view.

View of an open berth, the upper berth needing a sheet, and the bottom one not made yet ->

<- View of the curtains on berth number 10, both the upper and bottom berth made up and ready

View of a berth ladder, still
waiting service ->

<- Door to Drawing room A

View of the couch in Room A ->

<- View of the berth and chairs Room A

Hallway, to rooms B and C, and the Ladies Restroom ->

<- Roof of room A, sadly the paint has pealed kinda bad

View of door to Roomette B ->

<- View of the unfinished bottom berth in room B, man that porter is slacking today *wink*

This is the view of the sink and mirror in room B. Toilet was in the other corner ->

<- Door to Roomette C

Safety net, for the upper berth, Room C ->

Women's restroom door->

<- One view of the Women's bathroom

Another view of the women's bathroom. ->

I thank you once again, for joining me on another tour of the fabulous VMT railyard. I hope you come back again to visit more into our rolling stock!

The Rail Theater (Norfolk and Western 418)

Welcome back to the Railyard!

Today we take you on another tour, on former Wabash, now N&W #418, Safety Instruction Car! This car, built in the early 50's (To my knowledge) and In its early career it served as a dining car for the B&M (Boston & Maine) then became Wabash property. Then during its conversion to Norfolk and Western, it was converted to a Safety Instruction car for company employees. It would be normally at a station or a siding, showing N&W employees the current safety movies of the time. The large car, seats over 48 people, in comfortable theater seats (No drinks holders, Sorry), and projected just as a normal theater would. Currently, this rail car normally sits under shed, but during the moving of the 611 and 1218, she is outside connected to her cover mate, NS 31. Below are some interior shots for your viewing pleasure!






<- The door leading into the car itself, Taken from the NS 31 Observation deck.

This shot, taking looking back at the door, out looking at the NS 31 ->

<-This photo, shows the no smoking sign, along with the narrow passage way down the hall to the theater its self.

This photo, shows the down the hallway, and the dark abyss of a theater at the far side of the car->

<- This photo, shows the Manager's door, then the dark abyss into the back of the car.

detail This photo, Shows the Manager's door, in more detail then the last photo ->

<- We apologize for the bed, the porter hasn't made it around to the bedroom yet...

Anyway, this is the first view into the room
as you open the manager's door

Here is a view, of the other bed, opened up into a comfortable seat, good for reading or doing something relaxing. ->

<- This photo, shows the Manager's sink and mirror, the shelves behind the mirror still hide tooth paste, soap and a few other items.

This photo, shows the Car's shower, just down the hall from the Manager's room, the water heater was removed, so its presumed that they didn't use the shower after the car became N&W property.->

<- This photo, shows the front of the theater, looking towards the projection room hall way, you could fit 48 people in here comfortability.

This photo, shows the theater again, just looking froward, towards the projection screen. ->

<- This photo, looks down the Projection room/back hall, and a storage cabinet.

This photo, shows the back door, heading out to the Virginia Central Side rod locomotive ->

(Projection room photos, didn't come out right, need to retake, so they are forthcoming!)


So I thank you all once again, for joining me on another tour of the fabulous VMT railyard,
I hope you will tune in again next time for another wonderful trip into another historical car!

And as many railroaders say "All aboard!"
(Pic of the VC behind the 418)

The 'Unofficial' Office of the Yardmaster (Norfolk Southern 31)

The first car, on our visit list, is NS Research 31, once a lively Southern observation car, now a Track Research and Inspection Car, which now serves as my unofficial office (Haha...) .But this car is one of the few in the Yard, that is still able to 'run' (Meaning its lights and computers work, Ect.), with Electricity connected into it. Most of the computers and such, reflect the 1990's 'electronic boom'. But still this car is fully equipped with full bath, Bedroom, kitchen, and a living room! Not bad for a 50-80 foot car (Dont have the exact measurement with me)

<-This is the view out the front Observation windows





This view, showing the main control
room, and large work table. ->



<-This Picture, shows the back
of the 'Wall of Computers'


This picture, shows the entry into the living, and sleeping areas, along with the office space in the photo -->



<- This photo, shows one of the two, pull down beds for the crew to sleep in


This picture, shows the small living/eating table for the crew to eat, and/or relax at. ->




<- This photo, shows the shower and toilet, for use by the crew. Not the most spacious head in the world, but its still better then Amtrak...











<- These two pictures show the kitchen, the freezer and the fridge still work, (the rest we are to scared to test...) Rather nice kitchen none the less... ->

This photo, shows the door to the diesel power generator, and is also the end of the tour. ->

I Thank you, for joining my on this tour of NS 31, and I hope youll join us again, as he explore more of the Museums rolling stock!