History
Early Years
The NYC 41 was part of a 9 car full lounge set operated by the New York Central. They were used on trains such as the Ohio State Limited. Typically trains that departed New York in the afternoon and evening had a tavern lounge to Buffalo. Also the day trains from Chicago to Detroit had a tavern lounge. In 1964 two cars, 41 and possibly 35 or 36, were sold to Mexico for operation on the NdeM, National Railways of Mexico. Mexico. Tavern lounge 41 operated on the FNM, Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México, which is formal name of the NdeM . It operated as #376 Club Monterrey. The folding steps had been replaced with fixed steps. Also white insulation foam was applied to the roof to help keep the car cool in the hot climate. Since this car was from the north, 7 to 8 tons of air conditional was typical while southern cars had 10. The problem with the foam insulation was that it is sugar based. The birds would peck through the top white crust to get to the sugar laced foam underneath. NdeM suspended passenger service in 1997.
Of the remaining cars, five cars went from PC to Conrail then to NJDOT and NJT ( 37, 39, 40, 43, and 46) Only the 37 and 43 exist today, owned by URHS.
Two cars went from PC to Amtrak (#'s 38 and 44). The 38 has been restored as well as the 43 into near as-delivered condition.
Presidential Service
As part of the privatization of the NdeM, the Kansas City Southern formed the TFM. The next move for 41 was to the TFM as TFM 500 part of the presidential train for the Kansas City Southern de Mexico. It was used in executive service until 2007 when it went into storage along with a Missouri Pacific diner. Both cars received Mexican Oak paneling to make them look like an executive board room. The tavern area in the 41 was left intact and the bar was untouched. The wood paneling was applied to all the walls and the ceiling lights were removed and covered with wood and new fixtures applied to the wood panel. The window frames were replaced with wood frames with a Venetian blind sandwiched between the outside glass and the inside glass framed in wood.
Restoration of the 41
After five years of work the restoration is basically complete. Although this is a project that will never be finished since there is always something to do, the car is now in service on the Austin Steam Train. This is a prime car to charter since it is completely open. The tavern area can be used as a food service area for hosting dinner parties. The tables can be easily removed for custom configurations.
The car has a modern HVAC and electrical system and meets all FRA standards. It has also be wired for Head End Power per Amtrak specifications.. The truck assemblies were replaced with outside swing hanger trucks, the smoothest riding truck for luxury travel.