Lightweight Sleeping Car
Eastern Shore Railway Museum
The Fairfax River was built for the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad in 1950 at the cost of $126,776.32 by the American Car and Foundry Company. It was leased to the Pullman Co. between March 1950 and October 1966. During this time it was part of the elite Florida trains that ran between New York and Florida during the long cold northeast winters.
The distinctive purple letterboards of the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac showed the only river series on the railroad. The Fairfax River also had a very unusual configuration of 14 roomett[e]s and 2 drawing rooms.
Retired from revenue service in 1966 the car sat idle for 2 years while its fate was decided. In July of 1968 the car was overhauled and returned to service as a maintenance of way car. From 1968 to 1980 it was a, K.D.S. (Kitchen Diner Sleeper) #204 on the R.F.&P. work trains. This took its toll on the car and in 1980 it was sold to the Everyready Machinery Company of Bridgeport, Conn. for scrapping. It sad idle in a couple of years awaiting its demise.
The Tidewater Chapter of the N.R.H.S. purchased the car in 1984 and moved it to Little Creek, VA. The Tidewater Chapter used the car on several excursions on the Eastern Shore Railroad between 1984 and 1991.
In 1991 the car was
this page online
John's plans are to restore the Fairfax River as much as possible to its original configeration and use it on local train excursions.
Erected by Eastern Shore Railway Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1950.
Location. 37° 47.045′ N, 75° 39.178′ W. Marker is in Parksley, Virginia, in Accomack County. Marker can be reached from Dunne Avenue, 0.1 miles north of County Road T-1804, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18468 Dunne Ave, Parksley VA 23421, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Class X23 Box Car (a few steps from this marker); Maintenance-of-Way Tool Shed (within shouting distance of this marker); Diner #6061 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Railroad Tracks That Run Through Parksley (within shouting distance of this marker); Barber Shop Bench (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hopeton Passenger Station
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 186 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 19, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
