This website was created from a copy of passcarphotos.info which was originally saved on April 26, 2018. The website was originally created and managed by J.M. LaBODA who passed away in early 2018. When his website disappeared this copy was erected to keep the massive amount of information he collected available to all. We are also working to recover his other two websites: interurbancarphotos.info and pcccarphotos.info

Due to many of the photographs linking to external websites, not all of the links will continue to work as time goes on. A full offline copy of this website can be downloaded here: passcarphotos.zip

PASSENGER CAR PHOTO INDEX - AMERICAN FREEDOM TRAIN to ARTRAIN


AMERICAN FREEDOM TRAIN to ARTRAIN

UPDATED WITH 3 NEW LINKS ADDED.

Like circus trains, carnival and show trains have been a part of the railroad scene for over a century, with many outfits traveling by rail with a great ontourage of animals, entertainers, equipment, scenery and workers.  Like the modern James E. Strates Shows, which did not start going by rail unti around 1933, and the Circus trains, these smaller Circus and Show trains sometimes would be upwards of 20 to 25 cars, bringing everything with them so that their shows could be performed. 

The listings on this page include Show Trains, smaller Circus and Show related operations, Display trains and Carnivals.  While there were a large contingent of cars that often accompanied the passenger cars of various shows only passenger cars are listed here, though, where possible, links to photo albums and websites that feature other car types have been included.  As can be seen with a lot of the listings the history of a number of cars for various operations are either unknown or incomplete, but I hope that if you can help to fill in any of the cars' past that you will email me using the link below. 

I cannot promise you that all links will remain working since I have no control over this.  To contact me my email address is jmlaboda[at]gmail.com. 



 AFT - American Freedom Train
Listings include cars used for the original 1947 Freedom Train (FT) as well as the 1976 American Freedom Train (AFT) which was operated in conjunction with America's Bi-Centennial, as well as the Preamble Express which preceeded the AFT.
  • America's Freedom Trains - The America's Freedom Trains website is dedicated to remembering both the 1947 Freedom Train as well as the 1976 American Freedom Train.  This site features extensive information and coverage about the train, its locomotives and cars, with a large number of photos that can be viewed (passenger car photos listed below).  A must see for any Freedom Train fan!!!
  • FT (Pullman) Central Plains - HW Plan 3959 3 Comp - 2 DR - lounge observation. (OTTO PERRY COLLECTION)
  • FT Central Plains - (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • FT Central Plains - (THE RAILFAN.NET USERNET ABPR PHOTO ARCHIVES)
  • FT (Pullman) Glen Fee - HW 6 Comp - 3 DR sleeper car. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • FT (Pullman) Penn Square - HW 6 Comp - 3 DR sleeper car. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • FT (PRR) 3465 - HW P70 coach converted to display car. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • FT (PRR) 3489 - HW P70 coach converted to display car. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • FT (PRR) 3510 - HW P70 coach converted to display car. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 20 - (ex-NYC 9133) LW concessions storage - laundry rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 20 - as Chessie Safety Express.
  • AFT 33 - (ex-SOU 545) HW baggage - express car. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 40 - (ex-NYC 9137) LW glass display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 40 - (R. WRIGHT)
  • AFT 41 - (ex-NYC 9152) LW glass display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 41 - (R. WRIGHT)
  • PNWC 76 - (ex-SP&S 76) HW baggage - dorm. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • PNWC 76 - (S. JACKOWSKI)
  • PNWC 76 Splendid Spirit - (THE RAILFAN.NET USERNET ABPR PHOTO ARCHIVES)
  • PNWC 76 - (CENTER FOR RR PHOTOGRAPHY & ART)
  • AFT 99 - (ex-NYC) ACF LW baggage - express, never used on train. (THEME TRAINS)
  • AFT 100 - (ex-NYC 9163) LW entrance/control car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 100 - on Canadian Discovery Train.
  • AFT 101 Beginnings - (ex-NYC 9128) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 102 Exploration and Expansion - (ex-NYC 9158) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 103 Growth of a Nation - (ex-NYC 9178) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 104 Origins - (ex-NYC 9115) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 105 Innovations - (ex-NYC 9135) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 106 Human Resources - (ex-NYC 9156) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 107 Sports - (ex-NYC 9138) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 108 Performing Arts - (ex-NYC 9139) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 108 - on Canadian Discovery Train.
  • AFT 109 Fine Arts - (ex-NYC 9165) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 110 Conflict and Resolution - (ex-NYC 9104) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 110 - on Canadian Discovery Train.
  • AFT 111 - (ex-NYC) LW exit car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 111 - on Canadian Discovery Train.
  • AFT 200 Splendid Spirit - (ex-HICO Brothers Two, nee-NYC 7) HW private car. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 200 Splendid Spirit - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)
  • AFT 200 Splendid Spirit - as American Coal Enterprises.
  • AFT 200 - (ex-HICO Brothers Two, exx-NYC 7, nee-2) LW power car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 200 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • AFT 200 - on Canadian Discovery Train.
  • AFT 200 - as Union Pacific.
  • AFT 201 - (ex-SP 9111, nee-211 Golden River) LW 4 Comp - 4 DBR - 2 DR. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 201 - (S. JACKOWSKI)
  • AFT 201 - (M. BERNERO)
  • AFT 202 - (ex-Preamble Express 4, exx-L&C Springmaid Special 1 Innovator, exxxx-Permacel Express 1, nee-RDG 592) HW "pie car" - generator rblt. from baggage - coach. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 203 - (ex-Preamble Express 2, exx-L&C Springmaid Special 2 Motivator, exxxx-Permacel Express 1, nee-RDG 1327) HW bar car rblt. from coach. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 203 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • AFT 203 - as British Columbia Rwy.
  • AFT 203 - as Mt. Rainier Scenic.
  • AFT 204 - (ex-Preamble Express 3, exx-L&C Springmaid Special 3 Stimulator, nee-RDG 1332) HW bar car rblt. from coach. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 205 - (ex-Preamble Express 4, exx-L&C Springmaid Special 4 Educator, exxx-Permacel Express 3, nee-RDG 1329) HW Press car observation rblt. from coach. (C. ISAAC)
  • AFT 205 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)
  • AFT 205 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)
  • AFT 205 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)
  • AFT 205 - (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 205 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • AFT 205 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • AFT 205 - as Mt. Rainier Scenic.
  • AFT 448 - (ex-NYC 448) Budd dining car.  This car later became Conrail 47004, the line's Operation Lifesaver car. (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)
  • AFT 448 - (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • AFT 10280+10281+10282 - (ex-SP) PS LW articulated triple unit dining car, never completed. (THEME TRAINS)
  • Preamble Express 1 - (ex-L&C 1 Innovator, exx-Permacel Express P1, nee-RDG 592) HW pie car - generator rblt. from baggage - coach. (FREEDOM TRAIN)
  • Preamble Express 1 - (NORTH EAST RAILS)
  • Preamble Express 1 - (S. JACKOWSKI)
  • Preamble Express 1 - (J. STEWART)
  • Preamble Express 2 - (ex-L&C Springmaid Special 2 Motivator, exx-Permacel Express P2, nee-RDG 1327) HW bar car rblt. from coach. (NORTH EAST RAILS)
  • Preamble Express 2 - (S. JACKOWSKI)
  • Preamble Express 2 - (J. STEWART)
  • Preamble Express 3 - (ex-L&C Springmaid Special 3 Stimulator, nee-RDG 1332) HW bar car rblt. from coach. (S. JACKOWSKI)
  • Preamble Express 3 - (J. STEWART)
  • Preamble Express 4 - (ex-L&C Springmaid Special 4 Educator, exx-Permacel Express 3, nee-RDG 1329) HW Press car observation rblt. from coach. (S. JACKOWSKI)
  • Preamble Express 4 - (J. STEWART)

     ARTX - Artrain
    This train's operations have been discontinued and the display cars sold to Mid-America Railcar Leasing.  The observation car, ARTX 105, however apparently is not included in the sale with the other equipment.  Three of the cars showned up on Disney's The Christmas Carol train last year but their current status is unknown.
  • ARTX 1 - (ex-B&O 3703, nee-5245) Mod. HW coach rblt. to display car. (NORTH EAST RAILS)
  • ARTX 1 - (NORTH EAST RAILS)
  • ARTX 1 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)
  • ARTX 1 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)
  • ARTX 1 - (R. UNDERWOOD)
  • ARTX 1 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • ARTX 1 - in private ownership.
  • ARTX 2 - (ex-B&O 3594, nee-5441) Mod. HW coach rblt. to display car. (NORTH EAST RAILS)
  • ARTX 2 - (NORTH EAST RAILS)
  • ARTX 2 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)
  • ARTX 2 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)
  • ARTX 2 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • ARTX 2 - (R. WILLIAMSON)
  • ARTX 2 - (G. TODD)
  • ARTX 3:2 - LW display car rblt. from leg-rest coach.  (History???) (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • ARTX 3 - (M. BRUCHAS)
  • ARTX 3 - (R. WILLIAMSON)
  • ARTX 4:1 - HW Gift Shop car rblt. from baggage - express.  (History???) (NORTH EAST RAILS)
  • ARTX 4:2 - (ex-Rod Basidh 106, exx-Purdy Co., exxx-ICAP 106, nee-ATSF 3466) ACF corrugated studio - generator car rblt. from baggage - express. (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • ARTX 4 - (D. ROSS)
  • ARTX 4 - (R. WILLIAMSON)
  • ARTX 4 - on Delaware Coast Line.
  • ARTX 5 - (nee-USAX) ACF semi-streamlined generator car rblt. from hospital car, grounded. (D. ROSS)
  • ARTX HW display cars - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)
  • ARTX HW display cars - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)
  • ARTX 101 - (ex-AMTK 2836, exx-PC 4276, nee-NYC 10136 Missouri Valley) Budd 10 Rmt - 6 DBR. (SLIDER JAKE)
  • ARTX 101 - (RAILROAD FORUMS)
  • ARTX 101 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • ARTX 101 - (NORTH EAST RAILS)
  • ARTX 101 - (M. ST. AUBIN)
  • ARTX 101 - (JIM J.)
  • ARTX 101 - (M. ROTH)
  • ARTX 101 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)
  • ARTX 101 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)
  • ARTX 101 - as Mid-America Railcar Leasing.
  • ARTX 102 - (ex-AMTK, exx-PC, nee-PRR) Budd slab-sided exhibit car rblt. from twin - unit diner kitchen - dorm car. (RAILRUNNER01)
  • ARTX 102 - (SLIDER JAKE)
  • ARTX 102 - (RR PICTURES)
  • ARTX 102 - (RAILCAR PHOTOS)
  • ARTX 102 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • ARTX 102 - (RAIL PICTURES)
  • ARTX 102 - (JIM J.)
  • ARTX 102 - as Mid-America Railcar Leasing.
  • ARTX 103 - (ex-AMTK, exx-PC, nee-PRR) Budd slab-sided twin - unit diner table car. (SLIDER JAKE)
  • ARTX 103 - (RR PICTURES)
  • ARTX 103 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • ARTX 103 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • ARTX 103 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • ARTX 103 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • ARTX 103 - (JIM J.)
  • ARTX 103 - (MCD1996)
  • ARTX 103 - (MCD1996)
  • ARTX 103 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)
  • ARTX 103 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)
  • ARTX 103 - (NORTH EAST RAILS)
  • ARTX 103 - as Mid-America Railcar Leasing.
  • ARTX 104 - (ex-X27279, nee-NYC 8978) Budd exhibit car rblt. from baggage - dorm. (NORTH EAST RAILS)
  • ARTX 104 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • ARTX 104 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • ARTX 104 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • ARTX 104 - (JIM J.)
  • ARTX 105 - (ex-KCS 43, exx-44, nee-NYC 48) Budd parlor - lounge observation. (THE RAILFAN.NET USERNET ABPR PHOTO ARCHIVES)
  • ARTX 105 - (E. LEATHERBERRY)
  • ARTX 105 - (R. HICKS)
  • ARTX 105 - (R. HICKS)
  • ARTX 105 - (THE RAILFAN.NET USERNET ABPR PHOTO ARCHIVES)
  • ARTX 105 - (A. FLORIN)
  • ARTX 105 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • ARTX 105 - (HICKS LOCOMOTIVE & CAR WORKS)
  • ARTX 105 - (HICKS LOCOMOTIVE & CAR WORKS)
  • ARTX cars - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)
  • ARTX cars - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

    THE GRAPHICS ON THIS PAGE ARE ORIGINAL ARTWORK, © 2007 - 2014, BY J.M. LaBODA.