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Steam & Excursion > Nickel Plate Pullman purchased for excursion service


Date: 01/21/25 09:04
Nickel Plate Pullman purchased for excursion service
Author: nathansixchime

Link: Press Release and additional photos

The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has purchased the prestigious Pullman passenger car Kitchi Gammi Club from Virginia Rail Investment Group, which restored and operated the historic car for over 36 years under private ownership. This one-of-a-kind Pullman, which is also certified to travel on Amtrak passenger trains, expands the organization’s tourist train experiences and complements its existing collection of operating Nickel Plate equipment and its growing fleet of passenger cars.

“We’re honored to inherit not only this special historic gem but also to celebrate the work and passion that the car’s owners, Chuck Jensen and Chuck Akers, invested in preserving this unique piece of passenger rail history,” stated Kelly Lynch, Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. “The Kitchi Gammi Club is right at home traveling behind the kinds of locomotives that once carried it throughout the railroad’s system. We’re especially thankful for our gracious donors and members who were able to quickly support this acquisition.”

“Virginia Rail Investment is excited to transfer ownership to the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society so that the car’s legacy can be carried forward,” stated Chuck Jensen of Virginia Rail Investment.

Tickets to ride aboard the Kitchi Gammi Club will be available as part of the 2025 season of the Indiana Rail Experience and a schedule will be forthcoming at indianarails.org. As the only Amtrak-certified heavyweight open-section car operating in the United States, the Kitchi Gammi Club will maintain its Amtrak certification for the immediate future. Inquiries on Amtrak charters can be directed to contact@fwrhs.org.Plans call for the organization to begin fundraising to return the car to its original Pullman appearance and to outfit the interior with authentic Pullman decor and furnishings. Donations for the Kitchi Gammi Club can be made at fortwaynerailroad.org/donate.

Constructed in 1923, the elegant Pullman car was nearly scrapped after finishing its career in wreck train service, during which its ornate interior was almost entirely stripped. Between 1988 and 2019, Chuck Jensen and Chuck Akers meticulously overhauled and restored the car. In addition to operating in Amtrak service, the Kitchi Gammi Club regularly participated in National Railway Historical Society conventions and was routinely used as part of the Norfolk & Western steam program, eventually racking up tens of thousands of miles.

The acquisition of a Nickel Plate Road and Pullman passenger car represents a long-held curatorial interest for the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and its late founding member Glenn Brendel.

The Kitchi Gammi Club is the fourth operating car to join the organization’s fleet since 2024, following the renovation of two former Barnum & Bailey passenger cars, which have been converted into first-class open-window coaches, and one New York Central passenger car from the original 1941 Empire State Express fleet. The organization also owns an unrestored 1950s-era dome-observation car Riding Mountain Park.

Car acquisitions and restorations are largely powered by grants, donations, ticket sales, and volunteers. For more information on how to support these efforts, visit greatsteelfleet.org.

The acquisition of the Kitchi Gammi Club was made possible in part by the Journal Gazette Foundation, Olive B. Cole Foundation, Mac & Pat Parker Foundation, Howard P. Arnold Foundation, the ME Raker Foundation, and the Morel Family Foundation.








Date: 01/21/25 14:19
Re: Nickel Plate Pullman purchased for excursion service
Author: Frisco1522

Beautiful car!  I love heavyweight cars and I think this one has found a good home.



Date: 01/21/25 14:37
Re: Nickel Plate Pullman purchased for excursion service
Author: train1275

Sweet !!



Date: 01/21/25 16:23
Re: Nickel Plate Pullman purchased for excursion service
Author: steamfan759

Great addition to the collection!   I hope that the fund raising goes well in 2025!!

Ron



Date: 01/21/25 18:36
Re: Nickel Plate Pullman purchased for excursion service
Author: boejoe

Second photo, in NKP colors, shows what appears to be a dynometer car coupled to it.
jb



Date: 01/21/25 18:41
Re: Nickel Plate Pullman purchased for excursion service
Author: wabash2800

Very nice. And some years down the road when the car needs a new coat of paint, it can be repainted like it looked in NKP days?

Victor Baird



Date: 01/22/25 20:44
Re: Nickel Plate Pullman purchased for excursion service
Author: NKP779

I hope so- Pullman Green.

Posted from Android



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