Illinois Railway Museum Blog

December of 2019 will be a well remembered month in the coach department for we received an early Christmas gift. The "gift" was the PAWNEE, previously owned by John E.N. Blair. It was the last heavyweight, all-steel, non-streamlined private car built by The Pullman Company. It arrived on our interchange that grey, cold December 12th day. This long awaited Pullman heavyweight, historic, private car was switched into our campus about 1:15 PM. It moved, proudly, on its own wheels from Landisville, PA to Union, IL on three different railroads. Quite a fete considering all the regulations required by the railroad to move any type of passenger car, let alone an old car such as the "PAWNEE". It was a amazing accomplishment!

West of Olson road is where the PAWNEE was cut off from the rest of the train and brought up to us.

The UP takes it past the switch ready to set it out on our siding.

Bring our car back to us.

Another view.

You can't imagine how excited and happy I was to see the PAWNEE finally at the museum. It took an lot of phone calls and maneuvering to get it here.

Our US Army switcher, 8537, backs up to it on the West end. Thats Bob Olson in the picture. 

Heres Nick. Hes our conductor for the day.

The crew, Gregg, the engineer, and Nick in the cab of the 8537.

Thats Nick and I on the platform.

Here is another shot. Boy, did she ride nice over our rails. Quite a smooth ride. Didnt even feel any joints.

Here is just a little bit of the history of the car. Harry Payne Bingham, the original owner, was the son of wealthy Cleveland, Ohio, industrialist Charles Bingham, president of Standard Tool Company. His father, Charles, was also a trustee of the then monopoly Standard Oil Company. Does that name sound familiar? That company was owned by John D. Rockefeller, Sr. Harry was born in 1887 and died in1955. In 1930 Harry, now a multi millionaire, place an order with the Pullman company for a private sleeping car. He named it ,of course, PAWNEE. The rest of the story will be told in upcoming articles in the Rail and Wire.  

Crossing Olson Road.

A three quarter shot. Please notice the beautiful painted exterior. Not a bit of rust on the side sheets. The stairs are painted in primer and will be painted black this coming season.

A side view on the streetcar loop next to barn 9.

The three of us took some extra time and switched it ontoo the leads going into barn 10. Again this picture is on the streetcar loop operating towards the creek.

A close up of the side of the PAWNEE. Please notice the beautiful condition of the side of the car. I cant emphasis enough how beautiful it is.

Let me introduce John E.N. Blair. He is the gentlemen who previously owned it and gave to IRM. This was taken about two years ago in the inside store facility in Landisville Pa. 

John had the foresight to secure it inside and have it repainted to its previous Pullman green color. This is the reason why the PAWNEE now is so extremely well kept and in beautiful shape. If you wish to view the PAWNEE please visit barn 10.  I will be more than happy to show you the car.  It is now stored in that barn along with other freight and passenger car projects.  If you wish to donate to the PAWNEE to continue the interior restoration please send a check or visit https://www.irm.org/donations/pawnee/       Thanks, Roger.