Steel Coach

Steel Coach. No. 522. The Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation built this all-steel coach in 1923. This coach was later modernized and included features such as air conditioning, double-glazed metal windows, cable curtains, and rotating reclining seats with adjustable headrests and footrests., As passenger service increased, the entire RF&P line was double tracked between 1902-1907. There were also four new passenger stations built. They were Alexandria (1905), Washington (1907), Richmond (1919) and Fredericksburg (1926). , This car is painted to accompany the Blue and Gray Clipper train in operation until the late 1950s. It was the RF&P’s fastest passenger train covering the 113 miles between Richmond and Washington, D.C. in less than two hours., In these early coaches, the seats were in two rows with a center aisle. On one side there were two seats and on the other side there was one seat that could swivel. As early as 1934, the coaches were fitted with air conditioning., Passenger service ended when The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) took over operations on May 1, 1971.