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)